The FastDay Forum

First of all, I'm having great success maintaining with 5:2, but can't seem to get the scale moving down. I lost 25 lbs from January to March doing Dukan, and then discovered 5:2. I love this plan and SO want it to work for me to lose the last 40 lbs.

This week I decided to log my food on MFP and keep track of everything. Admittedly, I only managed one good Fast day this week, but was way below my TDEE on the other days. I only have 4 days of calorie data so far, but here it is:

Monday 580
Tues 1806
Wed 1573
Thurs 1079

My TDEE is 1857 when I choose sedentary. I do 4 days a week of a strenuous boot camp workout that burns on average 500-600 calories in an hour according to some who wear a heart rate monitor. I work hard at it and assume I, too, am burning a similar amount of calories.

I got on the scale this morning just sure I would see a loss, but I'm up a 1/2 lb from last Friday! I know someone will say that I need to eat more, but I'm scared to death to do that! I have to get this diet mentality out of my head. It's just hard to believe that I won't gain even more if I eat more!

If you have had success by increasing your calories on Feast days, please post your experience. As I said, I love this WOE and want it to work!

Hi, Lori.

I found my way to weight loss by doing 3:2:2. 3 sensible eating days, 2 fasts and two (consecutive) days of Dukan's attack. I lose weight even with one day of attack. Would you consider trying this?

[Betsysgr8]

I understand your fear of overeating and undoing all the good you've done so far. Instead of eating more every normal day, just pick one day .. say at weekend day and eat/drink more on just one day a week. Sometimes that is enough to kick the weight loss in gear.

Thanks for the replies!

TML.....yes, I have been considering your 3:2:2 plan. I was wondering if you did the Attack days back to back...thanks for specifying. I believe that may be what I try for the next couple weeks. Just have to get this weight loss moving!

Betsy.....also a good idea. I think I do this pretty much anyway, as I play golf on the weekends and tend to drink a couple lite beers & have lunch at the club. Not a blowout by any means, but definitely a higher calorie day than normal.

Thanks again!

Yes, I did do them back to back because that's what the diet's website said. I'm currently doing only one attack day weekly because of social activities. I still lose though, while I wasn't losing with the traditional 5:2.

Cheer up Lori, there are so many factors that come into play when you weigh in. It has been a horribly hot summer so it could be water retention. Or maybe the sodium in a processed food you ate. I go up and down daily. But I only count one weigh in as the true weight. I consistently use Tuesday am after mother nature and before I hop in shower. And over the past few months my weight continues to go down.

Hi:

Lots of potential reasons. Here is another one: 5-2-diet-chat-f6/topic6543.html

You must believe that if over time you stick to your fast day calories or less and on average eat less than your TDEE the other five days, you have to lose weight. It is pure math.

I eat normally and occasionally far too much and still lose weight on 5:2, sometimes I throw in an extra half fast if I've been particularly piggy. I agree with giving yourself a proper eating day or two days and being stricter the other days might suit you better. Good luck whatever you decide :0)

Holy cow ! You are pretty exact on counting you calories !! 1806 !! 1079 !! The only 2 days we count calories is the 2 fasting days then we just eat regular the other days and we are continuing to lose. Maybe you are being too exact. But, that would drive us crazy here and would not be long lasting for us. Maybe you should lighten up on yourself and see what happens !

Be wary of comparing what you might burn in only an hour of exercise because it varies HUGELY between individuals based on gender, weight, fitness levels etc. also some cheap HR monitors are wildly inaccurate.

Jesus TURN LEFT, TURN RIGHT, TURN UPSIDE DOWN AND DANCE LIKE A MONKEY! Sorry I talk a lot of poo but come on, this really drives me crazy, how much can you possible analyse, I eat for 5 days, I don't for 2 woo bloody hoo I've lost a pound.

TML 13, May I ask do you have the bran on the Dukan attack days?

Lori Another old chestnut but have you tried measuring. With the amount of exercise you are doing you are probably gaining muscle which is much heavier volume for volume than fat.

Hi lori, 5:2 is a great WOE and the ironic thing is you do have to mix it up and get some calories into you. Maybe as others said just be in the ball park for your TDEE of one who is exercising and not sedentary because you are on the go girl with your exercise. That will mean you can eat more and the MFP is a handy tool and a good record to look back on. I think that you exercise is a good thing but it will cause you to gain fluid which in turn will show in the scales. Measure as well very important as well as clothes falling off are true indicators when scales don't budge

Also 5:2 is slow and you will find you get this glimmer of what is possible eg a new low and then it takes a while for it to be your permanent weight. So hang in there enjoy the ride and the forum a great support and will make you laugh

Hi kencc (or anyone), do you have a link for 'forget the myth of increasing calorie intake to increase weight loss'? I want to read more about this.

Cheers!