5:2 diet & running 3 days a week: my question is... - Couch to 5K

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5:2 diet & running 3 days a week

shelleymcb profile image
shelleymcbGraduate
11 Replies

my question is what days would you fast as I like to try & run 3 days a week & would prefer to have a decent meal the night before my run, which is always a morning run. wasnt sure if you did the fast on the day you ran or the day before? thanks for any advice. shelley

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shelleymcb profile image
shelleymcb
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11 Replies
loulou51 profile image
loulou51Graduate

I am doing 5:2 and I've just finished w9 r3. I fast on Mondays and Thursdays. Sometimes I run on my fast day and sometimes I don't depending on how it fits in with life. I don't think the fasting affects my running (which is very slow anyway!) but I do find I run faster if I've had more than one rest day between runs. Not sure if this answers your question very well.

shelleymcb profile image
shelleymcbGraduate in reply toloulou51

thankyou for your reply. good to know I can still run on a fast day. was hoping so as didnt want to run on complete empty. x

AnnieW55 profile image
AnnieW55

I fast on Mon & Weds and don't usually run on those days as this fits my routine but like loulou I have run/exerised on fast days with no ill effects.

It really is a brilliant eating programme as you can manage it to fit your lifestyle and fast when you want. Sometimes I do 7am-7am others it's 2pm-2pm. Main thing above all is to keep hydrated.

Just found this web site which may be helpful - Michael Mosley/Mimi Spencer's site - so should have some useful info on it.

shelleymcb profile image
shelleymcbGraduate in reply toAnnieW55

thankyou annie. I like the idea of the lunchtime to lunchtime. that would work well with my long run which is usually 6 miles or more so at least I could eat before the run, even if it was only ready brek which is my usual "fuel" for a long run.

will look at the site you mentioned in a min. have just finished the kate harrison 5:2 book that was really helpful.

my problem was that when I was training for a half marathon I was eating all the calories Id earned on my longer runs, plus lots more & have gained about half a stone. not good. am finding it really difficult keeping to 1400 calories a day in order to lose a lb a week & havent been successful with myfitnesspal.com

how do you find the fast days? & do you pig out on the feast days??

think I may start this tomorrow. wish me luck :)

Shazzapat profile image
ShazzapatGraduate

I fast Mondays and Thursdays and defo don't run on those days. I also am not at present running the day after a fast til I get used to it. Good luck

shelleymcb profile image
shelleymcbGraduate in reply toShazzapat

that was my fear aswell. not having enough energy to run after a fast day. I think I have managed to work out how to do it though. will have a 2 day break before my long run & then fast on that day going from lunchtime to lunchtime the following day, then fast on my normal run days aswell. that way I will still be able to have a healthy days eating in-between. how are you getting on with it & how long have you been doing this plan?

AnnieW55 profile image
AnnieW55

Looks like the link didn't work. Site is:-

Thefastdiet.co.uk

Has 5:2diet information, articles by MM, Q&As and blogs - not all complimentary!

groovychick54 profile image
groovychick54Graduate

I fast Tuesdays and Thursdays, I usually try to run Mon Wed Friday and either a Saturday or Sunday. I have also run in the evening (7pm) on Fast days before my meal and occasionally have not felt very energetic but on the whole I haven't noticed any difference

shelleymcb profile image
shelleymcbGraduate in reply togroovychick54

thankyou for the reply. good to know that others can run with this type of "lifestyle" hehe. how are you getting on?

groovychick54 profile image
groovychick54Graduate in reply toshelleymcb

Weight loss very slow I had lost 6lbs but have put 2 back on, however I have upped my exercise a bit, I don't really have much to lose to be honest, but I find it really good because you only have to be really strict 2 days a week and I can live with that. The reason I think I have put on is because I kept sneaking in a few calories over the 500 lol but i'm back on track again

loulou51 profile image
loulou51Graduate

This is also a really useful forum for chatting, advice and tracking progress on 5:2, 6:1, ADF or 4:3. Lots of friendly, helpful people including a nerdy section for those interested in the science or statistics.

52fastdiet.co.uk/index.php

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