Ate soooo much...

bananabeannn

Hi all,

I haven't been sticking to the 5:2 consistently, and honestly have only really done a couple fast days. But, today and yesterday were 2500+ calories and I'm feeling like, kinda freaking out ish.

So yeah, I want to do a fast tomorrow, ~500 calories, to kind of reset. Is that bad? I want to be cognizant of using this diet to "compensate" for "bad behavior"....

jknight001

For me the beauty of this plan is there isn't any punishment - not in what we eat, nor in how we fast. You can add another fast day if you like but it might be more helpful just to begin your week new again. Try and see if you can do one or two fast days and stick to your TDEE the other days. It might be more rewarding in the long term to become consistent before you start playing with your fast days.

flumi_f

I think compensating high days with low days is fine. Punishing yourself with low days isn't.

It's a question of perspective and mindset. If you are punishing yourself, work on the reasons, you feel, you need to do that, as imo, that could lead to eating disorders or other problems.

If you just had a party weekend and feel a fast would do you good. That's fine. I often feel, I need that Monday fast after more carbs and sugar on the weekend, than during the week. Like today

orlcam

bananabeannn wrote: »

... Is that bad? I want to be cognizant of using this diet to "compensate" for "bad behavior"....

Wait, whuh? We should be feeling bad for doing this? Woops, I'm in trouble, because I do that all the time. I'll extend my fasts sometimes to make up for the bad things I do, but I don't consider it taboo...not on 5:2. Of course I'm a big guy and nowhere close to being as fit as you are. You need to remember that you're "ready to exhale" and losing that last 13 lbs is going to be hard enough, even without the added guilt. So take it easy on yourself (mentally)...it's allowed and one of the main perks that drew me to this lifestyle.

flumi_f

Yup, what Orlcam says. He's such a smart guy.

Seriously - guilt leads to higher cortisol levels...leads to less weightloss. And leptin levels (fat burning hormone) sink when dieting. Thus giving those levels a kick with a few high days, can actually help get the losses started again.

bananabeannn

Wow...thanks you guys. I really wasn't expecting to get such...thoughtful responses, and I mean as a compliment! You're really right. Traditional "dieting" is all about guilt and shame, but this is different. Well that really is different from 5:2. No wonder you guys like it! I'm going to do a fast day today but not as punishment.

Thanks!