Fast days and exercise calories

flissy5

I'm pretty new to 5:2, actually enjoying it so far. Fast days are great and the day after I feel awesome!

So, my Q. I was wondering if the 500 calories on a fast day was fixed or net - i.e. should I eat back exercise calories?? I tried searching for this and couldn't find an answer.

Any info gratefully received.

Karen_DisneyFan

I love 5:2 - today is my 33rd fast. I did 5:2 last year for a few months, but got away from it... Anyway, to answer your question, you do not eat back your exercise calories on a fast day. Good luck to you - this is a great WOL (way of life) - and remember to drink LOTS of water on your fast days. It helps with the hunger pangs and also to keep you hydrated so you don't get a headache.

flissy5

Thanks Karen_DisneyFan. I have dabbled with 5:2 in the past and I always drink about 70 ounces of water (2 litres), and peppermint tea, and haven't suffered headaches yet. I'll go to the gym tonight (weights tonight) and see what happens!

sijomial

500 and that's it!! No eating back exercise calories on a fast day.

You will find fasted exercise gets easier and easier. I've gone from wobbly and dizzy after moderate exercise on a fast day to exercise feeling exactly the same fasted or fed.
I can now do really hard cardio or weights sessions on a fast day with no problem at all and still perform at my peak.

flissy5

Thats Sijomial. Today is a fast day and I did a pretty intense (for me) lower body weights session at lunch time and I think I've had around 550 today - but that's it now! I felt good whilst working out which is reassuring.