Am I getting this wrong?

[GizzyBoo]

Hi All.
I'm new to 5:2 Started last week. Only managed one FD and am on my second FD for this week. I'm not finding them much of an issue.
My problem is I am struggling to eat enough to get to my TDEE.
I've never had a huge appetite but I drank far too much and now I've cut out drinking I can't seem to fill the deficit with food.
I'm 5'2", a huge 14st 2lb (1lb off losing my first st after cutting out alcohol since 1st October) and my TDEE is 1838. I'm mainly eating 1200-1500 on NFD with a few extra Saturday night (for gin) and more like 1800-2000 on a Sunday after a slap up roast and red wine.
Do you think this is workable?
Thanks

Well done, Gizzy for cutting down alcohol and also losing 13lb.

If alcohol was such a large portion of your calories, your body is probably obtaining more nutrients now, even on fewer calories. So, much healthier all round.

Your current eating plan sounds good, just what we recommend for those who want fairly quick weight loss:

At 5'2" the TDEE for your goal weight is probably around 1500.
We recommend that people who want to lose fairly quickly should aim for their goal weight on 3-4 NFDs per week and current TDEE on 1 NFD.

This has the added benefit of training you how to eat for maintenance later, to avoid regaining your hard-lost weight.

So you are fine, no need to eat more if you are not hungry.

Lots of advice and friendly support on MainThread48 Come join us.

Thank you so much.
I was hoping that with a slightly less restricted weekend it would all even out at something like OK so that is good to hear.

I'm actually finding it really easy. And a revelation in terms of the amount of liquid calories as opposed to food that I was taking in

I will have a catch up with the main thread and pop in and say hi

R

I just came back to read this as I am still struggling with giving myself permission to eat up to my TDEE and not worry that it will stall my weight loss.

As an update I have now lost 40lbs and weigh 12st 1lb. (I'm still 5'2" )
My TDEE is 1660 and my goal TDEE is 1500 ish.

I am totally obsessed with calorie counting and count religiously every day (even non fast days) I am struggling to give myself more freedom on NFD and as a result I usually end up finishing most days on 1200-1300 calories.
I'm full on that. I'm not hungry.

I guess its working so far but I'd like to be able to feel that its "ok" to eat some of the bad stuff now and again.

Well done, Gizzy Wow, 40 lb is a great achievement. I expect your old clothes just fall off you !
You are probably losing up to 2lb per week now, which is a good amount for quick, but safe, longterm loss.

TDEE is an average, so people may have a TDEE a couple of hundred higher or lower. If you feel full at 200 below goal TDEE then you are probably eating about the right amount for your body most days, but you have room for flexibility.

I suggest you plan one day a week to be 1600 cals by adding
either
. something nourishing but calorie dense, like an avocado, or 30-40g of unsalted nuts (salted is too moreish !)
or
. if you really fancy a "treat" then plan and calorie count in advance - e.g. that one muffin at Costa - but then STOP at that one helping.

You are doing brilliantly. If you just continue sensibly and patiently, you will reach your goal.
Don't be shy about posting on the big Thread, now number 50. Plenty of friendly support there.

I strongly recommend you don't get those extra calories from alcohol: that might be triggering and also your liver may still be repairing itself.