I’ve been doing the intermittent fasting diet since July- a total of just over 5 months. For those that don’t know- this means 2 days per week of reducing calorie intake to 500 per day. Here’s a rather self-indulgent little review in the form of 5 key things I’ve learned from the experience.

#1 Food is really pretty awesome isn’t it?

It’s about discipline. Having the self-control to forgo the office biscuit stash when it does the rounds, means that yes, I am thinking about a large slice of chocolate and caramel tart by the end of the day. However, when tomorrow comes and I’m no longer worrying about calorie counting, I will be partaking in said chocolate caramel tart. I might even have it for breakfast. Most importantly it will taste AMAZING because I’ve realised that food is awesome.

#2 Going to the gym on a fasting day is a very silly idea

On one miserable fasting Monday I went to the gym after work. Monday is the day that the local Henley-on-Thames sprogs have their after-school swimming lessons, before crowding into the showers. I think I’d probably managed to burn more calories than I had consumed on that day and was therefore dizzy and shaking. The aforementioned sprogs VERY nearly witnessed a naked woman collapsing in the middle of the shower alley. Potentially a scarring situation for everyone involved. Enough said.

#3 Eat sushi

Sushi is my little lunchtime survival kit. It’s low calorie and it tastes awesome, especially with wasabi, and it is filling. I highly recommend the Shapers range at Boots, which are normally under 200 calories.

#4 Trying to do 2 fasting days in a row is also a very silly idea

This week I tried to do 2 fasting days in a row. By the end of the second day my blood sugar levels were horrifically low and I was utterly incapable of human interaction. My loving boyfriend had to put me into solitary confinement because everybody looked like steak.

#5 Don’t step on the scales every day

The 5:2 isn’t just about weight loss. When I first started fasting I weighed myself every day. Having a little internal celebration when I stood on the scales one morning, followed by a funeral the next, is not so fun. I’ve found that a weekly weight-check gives a much better indication of progress.