Combining 5:2 with Weightwatchers?

[Mamf74]

Hello all,

I need to lose a significant amount of weight (approx 7 to 8 stones) and also change my eating habits for the better. I have done WW in the past with some success, as I found it helped control portion size and generally gave me more awareness of the food I ate.

However I'm also intrigued by the 5:2 approach to eating so was wondering whether anyone had combined the two, or if it was a worthwhile idea?

(I'll post this on both the WW and 5:2 threads).

Tia for any advice.

[KatyCustard]

I've done WW and Slimming world and am 2 weeks in to the 5:2 diet, and I'm slightly evangelical about it!

I suppose if you have a lot to lose then pointing what you eat on feed days might help you not to over compensate for the fast days.

I do wonder if you might find though that pointing on days you are not fasting is too restrictive and not sustainable in the long run. For me the beauty of the 5:2 diet is NOT having to worry too too much on feed days, as long as you are not OTT.

I've heard people say that 5:2 is a slow but steady weight loss. However I want to lose 4 stone and its coming of quite quick (2lbs a week). Of course that may plateau.

Why not give 5:2 a go on it's own first?

[frenchfancy]

Katy speaks sense. Try 5:2 first. It will help with portion control as you get much more aware of how much food you eat, and how often you eat, when you have periods of not eating anything.

When you have a lot to lose you need something sustainable, otherwise you will end put falling off the wagon and putting it back on again.

[ohforfoxsake]

What WW gives you is support and the focus of the weekly weigh in, and got that its really helpful.

I wouldn't tell your WW leader you are doing 5:2 and I would still track everything.

I've done both at different times. At the moment I am going to WW because I find the focus and support invaluable. I am mainly low carbing.

[drinkyourmilk]

I'm using my fitness pal ap. At the moment (week one) I'm using it to make sure I stick to 2000 calories per day. Previously I've been snacking so much that I could easily reach 3000!
The aim is that next week I will introduce one fast day, and the next up it to two. I will also keep monitoring my calories on non fast days, with one day off at the weekend (but still record everything). I'm doing it with my partner, so have some support.
I've never done ww buy assuming that you are thinking along the same lines as me. Only advice I would give is don't try to eat reduced calories on non fast days. Introduce that in a few weeks when you are settled with the fast days.

[Mamf74]

Thank you so much for your really helpful replies.

I think I'll start on the 5.2 first then, and see how I get on. I was looking into combining them to use the discipline from WW for things like reducing carbs, switching refined stuff to brown / wholegrain etc but it does sound from reading other threads that this starts to naturally come into play the more you do the fasting.

I just want to get into some healthier patterns of behaviour as I'm 40 in 6 months' time and am getting aware that it's not really great being obese and not watching things in a more sensible way. Almost sounding grown up there!