The FastDay Forum

I've got another question. I'm a 20 yo female, and like I said my TDEE is 1,777. I found an old post the other day from this forum where someone suggested to put your goal weight into the TDEE calculator and eat to that or close. I did that, and at my goal weight it said my TDEE is 1,630. The weight I need to lose to reach my goal weight is just a bit under 30 pounds. So, could I just eat close to 1,630 (goal weight TDEE) right from the start? The TDEEs at my current weight and at my goal weight are only like 147 calories apart... that's not that much right? Also, do I only eat 500 cals on my fast days no matter what my TDEE is?

500 was chosen as 25% of the average TDEE for women: 2000 cals (I still haven't figured out who this average woman is, but nm). 25% is fairly arbitrary, though. Some people here calculate 25% of their TDEE for fast day calories, but I don't think it is strictly necessary. It wouldn't be much less for you anyway. As for using your goal weight to calculate TDEE, you don't necessarily have to count calories at all on non-fast days. I suspect this was a recommendation for someone struggling to lose weight? I would try to keep any rules/restrictions as relaxed as possible in the beginning and save them for plateaus.

I love your name, btw. Do you know the TV show?

I've got another question. I'm a 20 yo female, and like I said my TDEE is 1,777. I found an old post the other day from this forum where someone suggested to put your goal weight into the TDEE calculator and eat to that or close. I did that, and at my goal weight it said my TDEE is 1,630. The weight I need to lose to reach my goal weight is just a bit under 30 pounds. So, could I just eat close to 1,630 (goal weight TDEE) right from the start? The TDEEs at my current weight and at my goal weight are only like 147 calories apart... that's not that much right? Also, do I only eat 500 cals on my fast days no matter what my TDEE is?

500 was chosen as 25% of the average TDEE for women: 2000 cals (I still haven't figured out who this average woman is, but nm). 25% is fairly arbitrary, though. Some people here calculate 25% of their TDEE for fast day calories, but I don't think it is strictly necessary. It wouldn't be much less for you anyway. As for using your goal weight to calculate TDEE, you don't necessarily have to count calories at all on non-fast days. I suspect this was a recommendation for someone struggling to lose weight? I would try to keep any rules/restrictions as relaxed as possible in the beginning and save them for plateaus.

I love your name, btw. Do you know the TV show?

Thanks for your reply As for my name, I've never heard of a TV show by that name, I just picked it randomly.

http://youtu.be/Zoh1LGADKI8

it's the first thing I ever watched in color. Oh man, I'm showing my age!

I The TDEEs at my current weight and at my goal weight are only like 147 calories apart... that's not that much right? Also, do I only eat 500 cals on my fast days no matter what my TDEE is?

As for using your goal weight to calculate TDEE, you don't necessarily have to count calories at all on non-fast days. I suspect this was a recommendation for someone struggling to lose weight? I would try to keep any rules/restrictions as relaxed as possible in the beginning and save them for plateaus.

Thanks for your reply As for my name, I've never heard of a TV show by that name, I just picked it randomly.

I agree with MaryAnn's advice Likewise never heard of the TV show tho' I suspect that I'm nearer MaryAnn's age than yours (I will, of course, look at the YouTube later just to make myself feel like a piece of living history - I remember people being excited when BBC introduced colour - and that people had the option of a colour or B&W TV licence for a long time.

Like others I don't count calories on my non-fast days but I make sure my portion size is reasonable instead of large. I get up at 5.30 am and it is a long time until lunch, so I usually have three meals a day.

On my fast days I will either have the full 500 (I can't remember my TDEE, although I did work it out a couple of years ago) or just below. For example, I fasted on monday, ate in the evening and had 350 calories, then went to the gym and burned off most of that. My second fast day was on Tuesday, did a lot of teaching and running around and ate 480 calories in the evening.

[Tracieknits]

Eating to your goal TDEE is advice for people who are plateauing, who are serial dieters, or who have other issues. First, I would try doing 5:2 normally - not even counting calories, just trying to eat "normally" (i.e. not overeat, but reasonable portions of what you want of mostly healthy food and some treats). If that's not working, I would get a pedometer and make sure you're getting at least 10K steps in. If that's not working, count and track daily calories, eat to TDEE on non-fast/normal days and somewhere between 25% and 50 calories on fast days. If that doesn't work, then go to goal weight TDEE. I would give each step at least a month to gauge progress, personally.

My TDEE is 1900+, but I doubt I eat to that most normal days. I don't follow any specific plan or pattern; I tend not to eat breakfast, and some days eat very little till late afternoon or early evening. Some days I'll have 2 meals and maybe a snack; other days, one large meal (especially if I eat out) and a couple of snacks. Now that 5:2 has made me comfortable with hunger, I "save" my appetite for something worthwhile. For example, in the past if I was out running around and felt "hungry," I ate a Kind bar or something similar to tide me over; not necessary now. Maybe I'll have a cup of tea or coffee, or some water, then will wait till I can get a proper meal. I used to grab a bag of chips and mindlessly munch on them; not that I don't eat chips (potato/tortilla) now, but I do so "on purpose," as part of a meal or snack. I usually don't have a problem delaying gratification, especially if what I'm planning on having is worth waiting for.

Just my two cents worth: Watch it with the going under TDEE on normal days; some have found that's counterproductive (may trigger an apparent metabolic slowdown). Don't forget, you'll have to reduce your intake as you lose anyway. However, our experience seems to indicate that those who've not dieted much before have an easier time losing. If speed is your primary motivator, 5:2 may not be the right plan for you. The idea is that you will be eating this way FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. Really...not just the usual lip service. You must get your head around this; it's not about a number on the scale or dress size, there's no end point/goal after which you're "done." Many have found they must continue to "fast" 2 days a week to maintain their loss.

The real beauty of 5:2 is its flexibility; you can mold it to what works for you. That said, it's not a bad idea to do "plain vanilla" 5:2 for a couple of months before making modifications.

I'll have to see if my metabolism slows down. if it does, I'll try to eat more calories. I'm someone who tends to lose weight kinda quickly though. About a week ago I was on my computer all day for like two or three days in a row and during those days I ate barely anything and then I did have some food in the evenings, and after those days I was already 2 pounds down. After that I ate normally again and those pounds still have not come back yet!
Also, I'm the same when it comes chips and sweets. Although I heard that over time on 5:2 your cravings disappear or become less so that may help me eat less junk food/sweets.