The FastDay Forum

So, I started 5:2 last week and fasted Tues and Thurs. I wanted to eat over the easter weekend. I have eaten loads but I can't get out of my head that this just isn't going to work. I don't own any scales so I go by dress size. I want to drop a dress size buy the end of May. Should I be a bit more careful to make sure I do drop a dress size?

[carorees]

Welcome to the forums!

You can eat normally for your height and weight and exercise level but if that is less than you'd like, then no, you can't eat as much as you like, I'm sorry to say.

Luckily, the fasting does reduce your appetite so that helps to make you not want to eat so much.

You don't need a set of scales but a tape measure is a good idea to monitor progress!

[Moogie]

Hi and welcome
Just to clarify, it's 'eat whatever you like', as in no foods are forbidden, not 'eat as much as you like'! If you overeat, you'll not lose weight. My advice is to eat as you would normally eat for 5 days a week, assuming that is that you are not currently over or under eating- ie you are currently maintaining your weight. If you're gaining or losing weight at the moment you'll need to assess what your daily calorie needs are to maintain weight (which is how you should eat five days a week) as in either case your current intake would not be 'normal'. Hope that makes sense

You can eat normally for your height and weight and exercise level but if that is less than you'd like, then no, you can't eat as much as you like, I'm sorry to say.

I blame the media for the assumption (held my many - I used to be one of them) that you can eat as much as you like on non-fast days.

Not unless you want to be WomaninaTent I'm afraid! Work out your TDEE and eat the foods you like but within those calorie limits on your normal non fasting days and hopefully soon you'll be WomaninaLittleBlackdress

Ok, that has helped. It did seem too good to be true! So I still need to calorie count on non fast days?

Ok, that has helped. It did seem too good to be true! So I still need to calorie count on non fast days?

For a week or so, yes, until you get an idea of your TDEE.

I've never calorie counted, I've usually followed diet plans. Any tips?

[carorees]

No, you don't need to calorie count unless you feel you are not certain what normal eating is like (which is the case for many of us of course otherwise we wouldn't have ended up overweight!). I guesstimate my calories using the fat secret calorie counter app, others use my fitness pal, many other don't count at all. I just track them roughly but don't really deny myself anything. It helps me be aware of what things contain a lot of calories so improves my food choices I think.

So, I started 5:2 last week and fasted Tues and Thurs. I wanted to eat over the easter weekend. I have eaten loads but I can't get out of my head that this just isn't going to work. I don't own any scales so I go by dress size. I want to drop a dress size buy the end of May. Should I be a bit more careful to make sure I do drop a dress size?

You can eat what you want within reason. So eat until you feel full. When I first started the diet I tried my damndest to over eat, but I couldn't. That's why it works so well.

Strangely enough I am getting the novel sensation of being full - without having a tight stomach.

Let your body guide you.