The 5:2 Bikini Diet
What can you tell us about your new book The 5:2 Bikini Diet?
The 5:2 Bikini Diet is the first 5:2 book to combine diet and exercise. By exercising on three of your non-fast days you'll not only lose weight faster, but also give yourself a body confidence boost.
There are over 100 recipes in the book, so which are your favourites?
There are some recipes that I use all the time. The chilli beef stew (page 140) is a family favourite and I always cook a big batch. I also love the posh chicken kiev (page 136) as it feels decadent but still only has 224 calories. If it's just me eating I often plump for the mushroom frittata (page 151) as it's quick, easy and very filling.
Why has this diet taken the world by storm?
I think it's very different to other diets – you only have to watch your calories 2 days out of 7. And it works!
How does it work?
You cut your calories to a quarter of your normal total – that's 500 calories for women and 600 for men. You do this on 2 non-consecutive days every week and the rest of the time eat healthily.
This means that you are hungry 2 days a week and this “shocks” your body into losing weight. It's surprisingly easy to follow and most people find they lose several pounds in the first week or two.
What does the exercise programme entail?
The exercise plan is designed to slot easily into your life. Half an hour, 3 days a week on your non-fast days. Exercises work on problem areas of your body. It's designed to push you and get good results quickly.
How does the diet reduce your chances of getting Alzheimer’s, diabetes and heart disease?
Scientists have only just begun to research the long-term effects of the diet on your body and the results are exciting and encouraging. When we deprive our body of food during a fast day this changes the way some of the hormones in the body work. One of the hormones it seems to affect is a nerve cell growth factor in the brain, which changes the way neurons in the brain grow. This leads to a reduction in risk factors for diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Similarly, levels of a hormone in our liver decreases when we fast. This produces a state of 'repair' as opposed to growth in our cells and may reduce the risks of diabetes and heart disease.
What are the side effects of this diet plan?
No significant dangers or problems have been found with the 5:2 diet so far. As with all big changes to your normal diet and routine there can be minor side effects. Side effects such as headaches and dizziness can occur in the first weeks but diminish quickly. Other side effects could be dehydration (drink more water!), irritability and restlessness at night.
Have you tried and tested the method yourself?
Oh yes! I've been following the diet since September last year and watched the weight fall off. I now follow a maintenance version of the diet where I fast just one day a week.
How quickly can we expect to lose weight on this plan?
You could lose anything up to 5lbs a week at the start of the diet, dropping away to 2-3lbs a week after the initial surge. Obviously this depends on the individual and how much weight they need to lose but at the minimum you should see a steady weight-loss of 1-2lbs per week.
What is next for you?
I plan to continue to follow the diet and exercise plan forever. It really has changed my life. I am so much more confident in my body and that has impacted all aspects of my life. I want to keep helping people by writing recipes that make the diet easier. I probably will never stop talking about how great this diet is!
Tagged in Harper Collins