Hi Karen,
I'm pretty new to Fast-5 (though not to the idea), so I can't speak much about some of your questions. But I'm close to graduation after 6 years of school and grad school, so I may be able to help some on that front.
First, I'd say that you're right to be concerned about your weight and health during this stressful and busy time. I ended up doing everything wrong and gaining about 40 or 50 pounds during the time I was finishing my bachelor's degree (full-time while working full-time) and getting my law degree (full-time while working part-time -- sometimes 2 part-time jobs). How I wish I'd had the gumption to listen to my body, which was fine with skipping meals, as opposed to listening to those (my classmates and family) who said I "needed" fuel. It sounds like your schedule is crazy, like mine has been, which means grabbing things on the run and eating fast food more often than not. But you have Fast-5 in your corner, so you're doing better than I did right at the start.
I had never been a coffee drinker and rarely had caffeinated soda before school. But I got in the habit of getting a latte at the end of my work day before starting an evening's worth of classes. That continued into law school with a morning latte, and often an afternoon one as well. About 6 months ago, I stopped the caffeine. I found that (after a week or so to to adjust), I was sleeping better and actually had more energy during the day. So, caffeine didn't really help me with this crazy schedule -- it actually made it worse.
I remember that you said you are only getting 4 hours of sleep. I would strongly encourage to figure out how to get more sleep. You are in for the long haul, and you simply can't get by on 4 hours. Caffeine won't really help if you're chronically sleep-deprived. Talk to older students about how they managed, or cut back on work (if you are) or get someone to help with housework, etc. I know this may sound impossible, but I learned during my first year of law school that it just wasn't necessary to miss sleep, even though it seemed like the program was structured that way. I made it a point to get 7-8 hours of sleep, no matter what. And I try to keep up some semblance of an exercise schedule, because all that sitting made me sluggish. I also agree that when you eat, it needs to be high quality food.
It will be difficult for you to stick to your guns if your group eats both lunch and dinner/late night snacking together. Obviously, you won't be able to do both if you want to do Fast-5. Just remember that this is your life and your body and you don't have to justify it to anyone. They won't understand, because of the media hype about needing to eat more frequently. Don't fall into the trap of feeling you need to justify your eating habits. Simply explain that your body does better going without food for part of the day (you can say you have a finicky digestive system, if it makes them feel better) and there is plenty of research showing it's healthy. Then just say you don't care to discuss it further. Plus, they'll come around when they're all gaining weight and becoming unhealthy and you stay slim and have lots of energy. Maybe you can get a group together to take a short walk during lunch?
Also, if you decide it's just too difficult, you may consider doing a modified Fast-5, like what I hear about the warrior diet, i.e. have a piece of fruit or a low-carb salad at lunch, then a regular dinner. Others here may have more to say about that.
One last comment. Last time I ate this way, felt great, and lost weight, it was because of one of the deans at the college that I worked. I didn't know anything about Fast-5, but knew that I felt better and my appetite was minimal when I skipped breakfast. I struggled with having to justify it to others. But then I started realizing that the dean didn't eat the breakfast treats at meetings and didn't eat at group lunches. After a while, I discovered that his regular routine was to only eat dinner. He was energetic and slim. And he was a runner. I figured if he could be comfortable not eating in those social situations, so could I. People accepted it. Of course, somewhere along the line, I got away from that. School had everything to do with that. Don't let it happen to you.
I really have noticed that I have more energy eating this way, and I think it's healthier for me. You will too, I imagine. That's what will get you through this stressful time.
Best of luck!
Susie
--- In fast5@yahoogroups.com, innamur <no_reply@...> wrote:
>
> Hello, Group. Thank you so so much for the all responses I've got. Sorry, I didn't get back to you quicker.
> I do realize that I need to have a "good fuel" for my student life right now and that's what I'm trying to get. It's still very-very hard to explain to my classmates that I am ok and that it's my way of eating. The thing is that we all eat together because we all have lunch at the same time (between classes), so I am buying a salad and everyone sees that I will eat, but some time latter in the day. Is it hard for me? Yes, very hard. But I do need to loose some weight. My classmates already started to gain weight because most of us eat while staying late during the nights. SO, I am still with you, guys, trying to survive. However, resently I started to drink Redbull at night and it keeps me awake. I know it's colories, but I am buying sugar free and it only has 10 kl. I still didn't weight myself because still not ready to see my weight, but I know it's going DOWN. I think I am 130 now and 'd like to be 122-125. (and I'm 5'6)
> Thanks everyone, you are such a supporting group and that's what makes us succeed!!!
>
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