Is it as simple as it seems?

TaraGiles85

Hi..just starting off. Done my 5:2 calculator and apparently I'm aloud 1700 caps a day then on my fast days which is 500 cal right? So is that it...can I eat anything within them calories or is there certain foods I should be eating more off etc as I'm seeing alot about eggs?? Lol. Thanks xx

amusedmonkey

It is that simple, although may not always be easy. It is simple for any type of diet, not just 5:2. Getting adequate nutrition is a good thing, but weight loss really is about calories. If you can get adequate nutrition and allow yourself moderated indulgences that may not be as nutrient dense - if that's what you enjoy - then you've hit the jackpot.

Morgaen73

You can pretty much eat anything you want. However, for health a balanced nutritional diet is advised.

kommodevaran

I feel that finding MFP was hitting the jackpot All the concerns I had, all the "advice" that had piled up through the years (eat that, for god's sake not that) just melted away, along with my excess body fat

I can eat anything I want. Isn't that liberating! Now I eat everything I like, but just enough to be healthy and happy!

preshalin

Yes it is as simple as it seems... Just track your food accurately, be consistent and

PATIENCE

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You lose weight slowly... over time...

layandal

It is. I did it a while back and now I'm doing it again. That's why I love counting calories instead of doing any diet. You can eat what you want, until your out of calories for the day. Or you do sport for extra calories. For me that works fine.

Unknown

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layandal

P.S.: Plus you learn to eat more healthy things on your own, since you want to eat less calories, so you can like... eat something unhealthy once in a while.

KANGOOJUMPS

it all takes time!, how bad do you want it? How motivated can you be? GO GO GO!

Johncalvinfields

Even when I'm tired

garyoconnor007

I've struggled for years to lose weight until I found MFP. Never knew how simple it is in theory, find out your stats and eat within the given calorie deficit.

I've lost 2 stone and feel on top of the world, 2 more to go though

HazyEyes93

Yes, you can eat absolutely anything and still lose weight as long as you eat at a deficit. However, you'll probably find that it's easier to stay within those calories with tons of veggies and lean proteins and still be satisfied at the end of the day.

JeromeBarry1

5:2 only works if you're honest and accurate.
CICO only works if you're honest and accurate.
Keto only works if you're honest and accurate.
Even ACV and newt's eyes only work if you're honest and accurate.

heybales

To the points above.

What did you select as activity level for general life, and do you exercise?

The 5 days are supposed to be no diet, eating at maintenance in general, actually in the study freely eating.

1700 sounds rather low for TDEE unless short and sedentary and not much weight to lose.

mail2dijaw

it is like an old cliche "too good to be true" but like me a lot of us will confirm it .. it is as simple as that .. provided honest logging is done

HeidiCooksSupper

Yup. That's how it's done. I got fat eating too much. When I eat less, I lose weight.

My diet has changed a bit but that's because I am eating less of the calorie-dense stuff to stay within my calories for the day. So, I'm eating less bread and fewer biscuits. I measure my pasta now. On the other hand, I'm really enjoying pricey cheese because I only eat it an ounce at a time instead of wolfing down the whole block with copious crackers.

sijomial

Did you use the TDEE calculator on TheFastDiet site?
If so, be aware the activity setting on there is different to how it works on MyFitnessPal - with a TDEE calculator you should include both general daily activity and exercise. In which case you don't log and eat back exercise calories, you have a set goal on the five days.
(I set my maintenance level differently - I prefer the MyFitnessPal method which gave me a lower base calorie setting plus exercise calories on top as I have a large and varied exercise routine.)

Yes you can eat whatever you like, the five days are defined as normal eating days (at your maintenance level in calorie counting terms). Of course nutrition is important both whether dieting or not - but there's no magic foods that your must eat or conversely forbidden foods that you must not eat.

I certainly found on the two fasting days what I ate had a huge impact on how easy/difficult it was to stick to the very low calorie level. I prioritised protein and fibre on those days as well as going for high taste. The 5:2 book/site does have some really good recipes. Actually taking time over food prep, food choices and eating mindfully also make the meagre allowance easier to sustain for a day at a time.
That "one day at a time" thing is a powerful mental tool - most people can stick to something difficult for a day.