I've just downloaded Week 1 and of course it begins on Monday! Today is Thursday. I've signed up for weekly support so will that come at the same time each week or what? Should I start the chart now, or change the existing days so my week starts tomorrow (Friday) or wait till Monday to make that my week 1?
Sorry, a bit slow.....!!
Hi Hedgecrone,
I would suggest maybe making Monday the start of your Week 1, but that you actually start today - it would mean you'd have a slightly longer Week 1 - but at least you'd be keeping on track with having Monday to Sunday for weeks 2 onwards.
I didn't sign up for the weekly support, so I'm not sure how that bit works - maybe someone else knows who has done this. But it's good that you have signed up for it, as I think it should be good hopefully!
Hope this reply helps, but please do let us know if you have any further queries.
Lowcal 
Stupid question, but how do you calculate your complete calorie intake? Do you have to weigh and look up absolutely everything? I guess a handy pocket guide would be useful.....
Yes, I bought little scales, although most fresh stuff also comes with full breakdown. Always check the wrapper as many products show as standard calories when you do a check but when you look on the packet they are different. I keep a piece of paper on the sideboard in the hall and add the drinks, everything down as i go through the day. add up at 3pm so i know what i have for dinner. If I have used up too many i reduce the meat/fish and bump up my veg (no simple carbs).
I am also making sure I get enough fluid, calcium (skimmed milk) omega 3 fat an everything so its very detailed, but my cals are very low so my diet has to be balanced.
Hi
Myfitnesspal is a god send. And I usually guesstimate weight give or take as I am fairly good at that but ideally scales are the best option
Hi Hedgecrone,
Personally, I've used the Myfitnesspal app (free and easy to use) to help to calculate the food and drink intake and also keep account of exercise, as it saves time. You can add things like regular meals to it, so that after a while you can put in things you eat more regularly without having to keep looking up the calorie totals etc.
There is also a calorie counter as part of NHS Choices - just take a look and hopefully you'll find it ok.
Lowcal
I signed up thursday and started monday, time to plan and get rid of any food that will tempt you, order in the fruit and veg, no sugar jellies for treats (thats just me lol) etc.
Signs on fridge and freezer, have your treat station set up on the worksurface as you go in the kitchen, fruit, sugar free jellies and chewing gum, sugar free sweets for when you just have a dry mouth lol
Good luck.
Hi Hedgecrow, Don't panic I also started the 12 week plan on a Thursday but also do the Monday weigh in too. You will get the weekly plans sent to you on a Thursday. I look at it as a twice weekly weigh in really, I report my number of weeks on the plan and how it is going and then do the monday weigh in. Probably be best, as suggested, to start now and weigh in on Monday and keep it all till Mondays.
As for total calories then yes you will have to keep a food diary and weigh and calculate the calories for everything you eat. It is not as daunting as it sounds as you will probably be eating similar meals each week so keep a note of the calories and just refer back to add up. Some people can drop the calorie counting after a while and rely on knowing what they are eating and the probable calories in them. I don't trust myself so I write everything down!
Good luck, get ready for Monday and get rid of the junk food in your cupboards - John
Whichever approach you use, best of luck and I hope you enjoy the process!
Thank you - feeling very nervous because I've been on the 5/2 diet for ages and it's not really helping. I have very little willpower, we eat out a lot so that's going to be extra hard - an uphill struggle - but I also cook from scratch most of the time at home so that makes it difficult to work out the calories. I suppose I'll have to guestimate that! For instance I'm making a carrot and lentil soup today and putting in a celery stick and a leek as well as tinned tomatoes. Not easy to work out calories in things like that!!
Leek - 61 cals/100g
celery - 16 cals/100g
carrots - 41 cals/100g
Lentils - 116 cals/100
Tinned tomatoes - cals will be listed on tin.
Weigh everything, add up the calories, then divide that number by the number of portion, to get cals/portion
Happy counting!
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