5:2?? How do you do it?

If you search for Groups you'll find at least 2 dedicated to the 5:2 way of eating. You'll find answers to all your questions there!

You're right to make sure it's right for you - anything in particular that makes you think it might not be?

To answer your questions here - I've been 5:2ing since January. The first few fasts are tough, but it gets easier over time. I like to keep busy on fast days, especially in the evenings. The other 5 days I eat at around TDEE, I don't find myself tempted to binge, in fact the morning after a fast day I don't feel that hungry.

But everyone is different.

My typical Fast day foods - eggs for breakfast, miso soup for lunch, protein and veg for dinner.

It is a band aid.
It gets you down BUT will cost you in the long run.
Just keep with calories in, calories need to burn
It is just that simple

That's a bit of a sweeping statement A lot of people make intermittent fasting part of their lifestyle long-term and have a lot of success with it.

OP - I've tried a couple of weeks of 5:2, and I often fast Leangains-style, ie fasting for 16ish hours, and having an eating window of 8. So, I'm not hugely experienced with 5:2, but so far, it hasn't made me binge. Because I'm used to leangains and skipping breakfast, not eating til early afternoon, I think that helps. When I do 5:2, I don't eat until early evening and then I can have the 500 calories altogether. I've not found it too difficult, not in terms of hunger anyway. The hunger comes and goes, but I've not been ravenous. The only trouble I've had is with energy levels. I'm going to keep experimenting, but for that reason it might not be for me.

So far, I've done it on days that I'm not very physically active, but I'm busy and out of the house for most of the day. I don't think I'd find it as easy if I was at home all day. I think keeping busy is the key until you get into the habit.

On my fast days, I eat a variety of things, but try to have the most nutrient-dense foods that I can. I fill up on vegetables and protein, and as much as I'm a carb girl, I usually forgo carbs that day (apart from vegetables), Do, I might have some fish or chicken and vegetables.

Obviously no one can say for sure if it will trigger binges for you personally, but I have heard a few people (who are binge eaters) say that it has actually worked well for them. Being able to relax a bit more on non-fast days might be the reason.