In recent years the 5:2 diet has grown in popularity. For those that are not aware of it you basically eat what you want for 5 days a week and then restrict yourself to only 500 calories on the other 2 days…it’s a style of intermittent fasting and it has been shown to work well.

The theory behind this style of eating is the 2 restricted days brings your total calorie intake down which will most likely put you in to a calorie deficit, aiding your weight loss.

However the diet I am talking about today isn’t so successful…”the weekend 5:2 diet”

The main guidelines for this diet appear to be very simple…

1. Eat good, healthy, wholesome, nutritious foods Monday to Friday

2. Eat whatever you want from Friday 6pm to Monday 6am

The theory behind this is the belief that calories don’t count on weekends and therefore your body will not pay the price…oh if only.

Far too often I see people jeopardise their progress by following this plan.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but food and booze does count at the weekend and therefore you WILL eventually pay the price for it.

For many (myself included at times) the weekend is a time where the normal rules of life do not apply, it’s time to relax and de-stress.

Most also accept the fact that they will not be perfect with their food so instead of doing their best they decide not to bother.

Another modern day issue for anyone following a healthy way of eating is the so called “cheat meal” which slowly turns in to a “cheat night” then in to a “cheat day” and before you know it, it becomes a “cheat weekend”…which starts at Thursday lunch time.

Here are my 5 tips to quit weekend overeating

1. Forget about being PERFECT and just focus on being GOOD

2. Relax your food rules – don’t be so hard on yourself, set only 2-3 solid rules you will stick to keep you on track.

3. Plan and Prepare – If you know you are drinking or wanting a takeaway…plan what you are going to order and when you’re drinking, how can you balance it out by eating less carbs, fats and high dense calorie foods.

4. Take responsibility for your health – At the end of the day, it’s only you that will prosper or suffer, be accountable to your health and make the best possible decisions.

5. Remove the phrase “cheat meal” from your vocab…cheat makes you think you’re being bad which brings a sense of guilt which in turn demotivates you. As said above, enjoy your food, relax the rules, plan and prepare and take responsibility by making good choices and all of a sudden…you can enjoy food without “breaking the rules”

#nutrition #diet #female #women #health #52diet #weekend #healthyeating #intermittentfasting #weightloss #fatloss