The 5:2 diet

89 watchers
Jan 2013
9:31am, 6 Jan 2013
3 posts
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mudskipper
30 minute on the turbo before breakfast the day after fasting may not have been a good idea!!! :(
Jan 2013
10:29am, 6 Jan 2013
45 posts
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Mouseytongue
You're not kidding. I tried a tempo run the day after a fast and had NOTHING in my legs.
Jan 2013
10:41am, 6 Jan 2013
289 posts
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Adders
I have never been a proponent of fasting - even for sedentary people, let alone runners. But this article does have some scientific backing and the findings are interesting. I can definitely see how the 5:2 diet can work, as long as you do eat well and healthily on the 5 normal days.

But I wouldnt reccommend the 5:2 for runners, especially serious runners training virtually every day. I presume the article is aimed at non-athletes, so whilst it is interesting stuff, never overlook the importance of properly fuelling your body to meet your training demands.
Jan 2013
10:54am, 6 Jan 2013
4 posts
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mudskipper
Thanks Adders I would value your opinion on this....
usatoday30.usatoday.com
Jan 2013
11:13am, 6 Jan 2013
1,420 posts
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Curly45
mudskipper - I happily run without breakfast and dont fuel on long runs either, but thats running the day after eating normal amounts. I would never run after eating less cals than my body needs to function for an entire day. Running on "empty" is training your body to utilise fat as a higher percentage of its fuel source. You still need glycogen in the mix.

It can also have some nasty effects if you push too far, I've had a few runs where I've been close to passing out and currently I eat 2-3 hours before a run of 20 miles or more to just be sure I won't.
Jan 2013
12:41pm, 6 Jan 2013
290 posts
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Adders
In the past, I wouldnt think of doing a morning run on an empty stomach. Breakfast would always be the first priority when I wake up. But in the past few months thats changed slightly. I have done morning runs (easy runs, not hard sessions) before breakfast. Then again, this isnt for the purpose of fat loss, but just to get my training out the way and have the rest of the whole day available for work!

But I wouldnt recommend fasting before intense sessions. I want to get the most out of hard sessions. It actually says in the article "Though members of the group that didn't eat performed worse on the intensive training, they burned a higher proportion of fat". So the article focuses more on fat burning than running performance (dunno about you guys, but Im far more concerned with the latter).

Another thing worth bearing in mind is that just because your body burns a higher proportion of fat (maybe the case when running on empty), the TOTAL CALORIE BURN may not be any different (or may even be less than if you fuelled) . And total calorie expenditure is far more relevant for fat loss potential than amount of fat being burned.

Bottom line: running on empty is fine for easy runs not demanding much effort. But as Curly45 says, for long/intense sessions, probably not a good idea. Youre better off fuelling properly for such sessions so that you can benefit more and enhance calorie burn potential.
Jan 2013
1:28pm, 6 Jan 2013
5 posts
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mudskipper
Thanks guys. :)
I'm not doing long/intense sessions on empty. I've been running/cycling long enough to know that's a recipe for disaster. These are just 20-30 minute 70-75% MHR sessions before breakfast. I am trialling the 5:2 'diet' to see what it does. I've worked out I need to lose approx 1 stone 4lb to get within a healthy weight for my height and build which I've done before with just running but am interested to see how the 'diet' works.

Thanks again.
Jan 2013
2:14pm, 6 Jan 2013
1,970 posts
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Anna Bomb
5:2 book is on offer today on amazon for kindle owners if anyone is interested.

amazon.co.uk
Jan 2013
4:39pm, 6 Jan 2013
6 posts
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mudskipper
Reviews say the Kindle formatting is awful. :( I think I'll wait for the new Fast Diet coming out on 10 Jan.
Jan 2013
9:26am, 7 Jan 2013
152 posts
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Hodge68
Mind if i join the thread, i seem to have come across the 5:2 quite late in the day. My 73yr old father mentioned it when he got back from his 2 mile swim(he enjoys the free wash) last week.
Ref the above book, i have it on kiddle and like many books, the kiddle format does not do it any favours and to be honest i dont find it a very good read. So since hearing about 5:2 i have read what i can on line.
Today is my first fast day and may even go for a easy swim later if time allows, will let you know how i get on.

About This Thread

Maintained by Spark
Anyone want to try it with me?

Info - m.bbc.co.uk

5 days of 'normal' eating and 2 days eating 600 calories (men), 500 calories (women).

Fast days are best not done on consecutive days, unless you have amazing willpower.

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