5 / 2 Diet - questions for folks doing it

[foliedouce]

I know that there have been a few threads on 5 / 2 before, but I can't find the answers I'm looking for.

Following on from my how to lose a stone in 2 weeks thread:-

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I'm currently doing the Juice Master diet and have 6 lbs left to lose before 31st May weigh in so on track to win my bet.

Following that, I don't want to stick all the weight back on so was thinking of doing the 5 / 2 eating plan thereafter to maintain my weight (and maybe lose a few more lbs but that's not the primary driver)

So questions:-

I do Personal Training 3 times a week, am I better to avoid fasting on these days or does it not matter?

What is a typical meal plan on your fasting days?

Do you literally eat whatever you want on the non fasting days or are you still 'careful' with what you eat?

Any real world experience on whether doing 2 consecutive fasting days or splitting them up makes any difference to weight?

Any other gotchas / practical advice?

Thanks

[foliedouce]

KamSandhu44 said:

Why not work out your macro/ calorie needs and eat like a normal human?

The calorie needs are easy to work out, the calorie input is more challenging unless you're weighing food / using myfatsecret etc (which I do use) 100% of the time.

I do a lot of client entertaining and I'm looking for something simple to follow which I believe 5 / 2 offers and more importantly is sustainable.

It's bloody difficult to work out accurate calorie intake when you're eating in restaurants 3-6 times a week.

[foliedouce]

Thanks - appreciate the input. This Juice Diet seems akin to fasting and I have to say I have struggled with my workouts the last 2 days, the trainer has pushed me hard and I'm finding it a lot more difficult that eating 'normally'

[foliedouce]

5MUG said:

My husband and I have been doing the 5/2. Yes I would say avoid fasting on your exercise days. You may feel quite tired on fasting days.

My typical meal plan is - cup of tea for b'fast, one ryvita with ham and lettuce for lunch with a zero fat yoghurt (check the calories tho) and for supper 5% mince meat balls or salmon or omelette - with lots of salad or veg. Lots and lots of water. Then I go to bed early to pass the time asleep so that b'fast comes around quickly!!
Yes I do eat whatever I want on non-fasting days but if I was careful I'm sure i would lose weight more quickly. Doing 2 consecutive days would be v v hard for me - I would not stick to it. You get very hungry. One day is easy to do and to get though.

It really does work and we are thinking of just doing one day a week now to maintain our weight. Ive lost 1 stone and my husband about 2 so far over about 2 months but we had 2 weeks off when we went to USA on hols!

Thanks for the input, I would never ask a lady her weight but did you have much to lose? Just trying to get a feel for what I cam expect. I'm 6ft 1, so far lost nearly 3 stone since Nov 14 and now looking for a sustainable diet where I can lose a few more lbs but more importantly not put it all back on.

jfrf said:

The 2 days i restrict calories (ie just a salad) I play 5 a side in the evening for 90 minutes which burns up a fair few calories. Personally I find this works for me.
If anything the exercise takes my mind off the hunger.
I think it's the fact I'm actually busy doing something that helps as if I was bored at home I'd probabaly just eat.

Can't say I have felt weak or light headed (both during and after exercise) comapred to when i was overeating 7 days a week

What do you do for breakfast on fasting days?