Fast Treats

Today has been a culinary triumph! I would never have imagined saying that about a 5:2 fast day! But it is true...

Hunger seems to be more of a psychological test than a physical one.  One big mistake from last Thursday was to watch the 'Hairy Bikers' talk about fast-food just after I had finished my dinner.  As tasty as my spicy stir-fried king prawns were, the sight of food on television for 30 minutes after I had finished my tea, kept me feeling ravenous all night!

Day 4 Menu:
Breakfast: half a tin of peaches and three spoons of natural yogurt. 183 cal*Drinks: water, herbal teas, tea with semi-skimmed milk Dinner: stir-fried king prawns with basmati rice. 350 cal.**
Snacks: Werther's Original Sugar Free Sweet. 8 cal.*Total: 541cal*
*Calories sourced from My Fitness App for iPhone.
** Calories sourced from 'The Fast Diet', Mosley and Spencer.

Spicy Stir-fried King Prawns, from Indian Superfood

In contrast, today's menu has given me less calories but a bit of psychological trickery has beaten the hunger!  I have swapped the full fat yogurt for fat-free to reduce my calorie in take in the morning.  This doesn't have any impact on my hunger but means I can consume more in the evening.  As it happens, the meal I have chosen for dinner is very low calorie and so even with the additional of a pudding, I am still below the 500 limit allowed by the 5:2 regime.  The pudding is significant.  The introduction of a second course has given the illusion of eating more and therefore has eradicated the hunger itch. Hoorah!

Day 5 Menu:
Breakfast: half a tin of mandarins, three spoons of fat-free yogurt. 73 cal*
Drinks: water, herbal teas, tea with semi-skimmed milk 
Dinner: warm puy lentil, roasted peppers and spinach salad with basil yogurt dressing. 238 cal** 
Pudding: Ski Coconut Mousse. 90 cal.*
Snacks: Werther's Original Sugar Free Sweet. 16 cal.*Total: 417cal*
*Calories sourced from My Fitness App for iPhone.
**Calories sourced from 'The Fast Diet Recipe Book', Spencer

Warm Puy Lentil Salad, The Fast Diet Recipe Book

I also feel the need to highlight the fact that tonight's main course was delicious.  To quote my other half, "I would eat this on a normal day."  Spencer really does know how to make low calorie meals have the wow factor on taste.  I will be looking forward to trying out more of her recipes in the coming weeks.

Proof that this 5:2 thing is working for me...

Week 3 Vital Statistics:
Height: 5'5"
Weight: 67.3kg (0.7kg lost this week!)
BMI: 24.7 (down by 0.25)
Waist: 34" (another 3/4 inch lost round my middle)
Arms: 10.75" (quarter of an inch off my arms)

In the interests of making this slightly more scientific, I must note that my weight was recorded on my brand new SALTER electronic scales (which also record body fat and water statistics).  I can now record weight loss below a single kilogram! My old scales are also registering weight loss so the fast diet is definitely working!!

I might even consider going wedding dress shopping soon... to celebrate the beginning of the end of the bulge!