I also don't understand why you think IF = low fat. I've never reduced my fat doing 5:2 or IF. If anything, I've increased it while decreasing carbs...

Trying to keep cals at 500. Fat eats up cals pretty quick.

Perhaps some ideas???

Of course, if IF doesn't work for you, it doesn't work for you... everyone has to find their own lifestyle that works for them, but... I just want to throw out ideas to you or anyone else.

Following someone "else's" diet isn't necessarily what will work for you. Some people can do 5-2 and be fine. Others can do it differently. Others can't or don't feel good doing it all all. Same with low carb diets, etc.

I don't think I could do 5-2. I like following similar patterns and eating 5 days on, 2 days off would be hard for me. Eating just 500 calories for the day would be hard for me. So, that's not the form of IF I do.

I have had 4 years of trying different things to figure out what works for me. And over that time, I've tweaked and tweaked and tweaked.

First, I did just low carb with exercise and reduced calories. Then I switched to eating most of my calories in the earlier part of the day as that is when I seemed to be hungriest. Then I realized it was because I started eating in the morning that I got hungry (insulin response - even on low carb) which was becoming a problem because I was by myself for snacks and lunch and I would be mostly out of calories for the day by the time dinner time arrived and here I would be cooking for my family and able to eat none or little of it. AND that was the most yummy food of the day!

Finally, last summer I decided to stop drinking milk in my morning coffee and added a bit of half and half instead. I put in a 1/3 to .4 of a cup. That's 110-140 calories just on half and half, BUT!!! It keeps me satiated (with drinking some iced green tea or decaf tea) until 12:30. Then, I eat ONE quest protein bar. I get a little something sweet, and lots of protein and that keeps me satisfied (with lots of water/iced tea) until dinner time at 6:30. Then, I prepare the most marvelous dinner and eat (mostly) as much as I want. I just skip the starch (or eat a smaller portion of it).

Like, I can have a huge plate of homemade stir fry of veggies and chicken with almonds or cashews. Or, a good size steak with green beans or other veggies. Or, a HUGE salad with egg, nuts, veggies and greens and olive oil and avocado. My dinners are usually 800 calories (or a bit more or less) and I'm satiated and feel GREAT and I end the day eating no more than 1000-1300 calories.

Now, I haven't thrown any vigorous exercise in there yet, when I do, I'll probably need to eat a bit more, but I'll throw in a spoonful of peanut butter or make a protein shake.

I simply don't think I could easily or willingly give up my big dinner. Especially with being the only cook in the house of an 80 year old, two 40 somethings, a teen boy and a 10 year old boy.

That is what "I" do and it's taken lots of testing and searching to see what works for me. I would never prescribe my diet to anyone because someone else might find it unbearable.

That's why I hate prescribed diets - or follow these rules diets. I think they are a good starting point, but it doesn't mean you can't modify them to work for YOU.

Do you mean daily? You said you were following IF but did not mention 5:2 so I just want to be clear what you are doing. Yes, 5:2 is a form of IF, but I just want to make sure you are not trying to keep your calories to 500 each day before I say anything else.

In a previous post she mentioned 5-2

Nonameslob - No not daily I was thinking of trying 5:2 but just feel too crappy whenever I try it.

Perhaps this is the wrong thread.

Happy you found something that works for you berry.

Crimzon, please, stay! I was just confused and wanted to clarify.

When I said I haven't had to give up fat while doing 5:2, I really meant on my up days. I don't consume much fat on down days. Mostly on those days I have lean protein and vegetables. What's really important is what you have for dinner the date before a fast day. I highly recommend a high protein, medium fat meal the day before. It helps with satiety and energy the following day. If you eat a big bowl of pasta and then try to fast the next day, you will have a tough time.

I'd also suggest playing around with how you consume your 500 calories on a fast day. I personally only eat one evening meal. Other people find it best to eat two or even three small meals throughout the day to keep their energy up and hunger down.

Lastly, it does take getting used to. I had a tough time at first, but now after almost two years my body has adjusted and I barely notice a difference in hunger or energy on fast days.

Hello ladies...I am attempting Fast-5 again. (I think this is my 2nd try.) I have an eating window of 2-7pm since I go to bed early. I am counting calories too - I can really pack the food in as a compulsive overeater! I think this way of eating will really help.

This is my 2nd day, and I have about 30 minutes left until my window opens!!! I am feeling really hungry right now.

Plan for the day:
Lunch: yogurt with granola, apple with peanut butter, ham sandwich

Supper: thin crust pizza

My calories for the day should end up being around 1900, which isn't too bad! I try to end up around 1500 usually, but I'm giving myself more calories during this adjustment period.

I never meant to imply IF requires lowering fat - as I said wrong thread. It is recommended on 5:2 to cut fat to cut cals from what I've read and watched. I didn't mean to generalize.

I'm still here - thanks for your support Nonemeslob. I just start to feel really messed up and hypoglycemic when I cut my cals/fat on a down day for breakfast and lunch. I need breakfast. My mom would feed me a burger for breakfast (no bun) sometimes and those were my best days in elementary school. I may try again but meanwhile I think I'll stick to low carb and be more diligent. Whatever works - 5:2 for you and a Warrior type plan for Berry. I'd probably do okay eating B and L and then fasting through dinner to get a pretty good fasting span. I have Hashi's and fasting isn't really recommended - from the books and blogs and internet stuff I've read. Maybe there's a reason. Maybe we tend toward hypoglycemia or just need a more even keel with eating/blood sugar - whatever.

Best to you on your journey - you're doing great!!

Good luck Amy!!!

Thanks crimzon!

Day 2 is done and I ended up at 1750 for cals. I didn't eat as much pizza as I planned to. Right now, my eyes are definitely bigger than my stomach!

I have like a 15 minute window... Seriously. And I still need to watch what I eat as I could eat way too much!

Sounds like you and I would get along really well, haha. I used to joke that I had a bottomless pit for a stomach because I can eat for 5 hours straight and not get full at all. I can seriously eat more than my husband, but he doesn't know it because I do all of my "embarrassing" eating in private.

Day 3, and I'm hoping it doesn't suck too much since I've been up since 2am. I am determined though...

I could eat double what my husband eats - probably did. When I get to eating carb heavy food, especially, there basically is not STOP sign. I love, love, love to eat carbs. They HATE me though... and I suffer for eating them. I can only see that though, when I stop eating them!

So today I just told the new co-worker about IF and she has read about it and it was no big deal. We sat across the table from one another while I sipped coffee and she ate chicken strips and fries and I think I actually made her self conscious about her meal, which wasn't my intention.

That would be what I expect... people the feel like maybe they shouldn't eat.

When I am eating with someone and "not eating" I at least bring a drink or a small snack so they don't feel like they are being watched while they eat. It's tough.