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Fasting / 5:2 diet

Please tell me what I'm doing wrong

11 replies

Dizzydummy · 26/05/2013 22:13

I have been on the 5:2 diet for a few weeks and although I lose a few pounds on my fast days, it just goes back on when I go back to eating 'normally'. Does this diet work for everyone? I am so depressed as after reading all the positive hype about this diet I really thought it would be the one I could do to shift the final 2 stone

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Littleolivetree · 26/05/2013 22:16

Exercise too?

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LaurieFairyCake · 26/05/2013 22:18

What does 'normally' mean ? Have you worked out your TDEE ? And are you eating very close to it?

It won't work if you have food issues and massively overeat (obviously) or if you really undereat.

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frenchfancy · 27/05/2013 06:54

As Laurie said you need to look at what eating normally for your really means. Try logging you food for a few days. Take a note of EVERYTHING that passes your lips, every drop of milk, kids leftovers, every drink that is not zero cals. Measure your portion sizes as well, not all potatoes are equal, and the average bowl of cereal is not the 30g they say on the packet.

I know you probably want to do 5:2 to avoid that type of counting, but you do need to get a grip of what is normal.

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Dizzydummy · 27/05/2013 16:32

Thanks for all the advice and you are right, I have worked out my TDEE and it was ALOT less than I thought it would be so thanks again for that! Onwards and upwards and all that!!

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EarlyInTheMorning · 27/05/2013 18:27

Hi sorry but what's TDEE and how do I work it out?

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CaptainSweatPants · 27/05/2013 18:29

Total daily eating estimation? Calorie intake in other words

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CaptainSweatPants · 27/05/2013 18:30

Total daily eating expenditure

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CaptainSweatPants · 27/05/2013 18:31

Aw crap

Total daily estimated expenditure

Lol

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EarlyInTheMorning · 27/05/2013 20:31

I see, thank you

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plecofjustice · 27/05/2013 20:43

Hi EITM

I use this TDEE calculator thefitgirls.com/tdee-calculator.aspx, as do a lot of us on here. If you are intending to use a tracker like MyFitnesspal (MFP), i'd recommend calculating your sedentary TDEE, then logging your exercise in MFP, so you can get an accurate daily TDEE.

Your TDEE is the total number of calories you need to eat each day to maintain your current weight. If you are fasting, you are automatically reducing the number of calories you consume by approx 2000 per week (assuming 5:2), so you need to eat to TDEE on the other days. I use it as a weekly average, so eat under TDEE on my food days during the week, so I have a calorie buffer at the weekend. Not really recommended though, and my weightloss has been pretty slow because of it!