The 5 2 fasting diet plan is one of the most popular diet plans out there.It is one of the fast ways to lose weight, but to get the most out of the 5 2 intermittent fasting diet, it requires planning and preparation if you are to expect great results. Spending a little time in putting a plan together is well worth the effort. Below are some of the things that you need to consider to get the most out of your weight loss journey.

What exactly is the 5 2 fasting diet plan?

The 5 2 fasting diet plan is one of the most feasible and effective options with a range of benefits that go beyond weight loss.

This particular diet involves the limiting of your daily calorie intake to 500 per day for females, and 600 for males, for two days of the week. These two days are generally non-consecutive, while weight watchers are allowed to eat as they please on the other five days of the week. The two days with lowered calorie intake are referred to as ‘fasting days’, and the other 5 are sometimes known as ‘feeding days’. Out of the many fast ways to lose weight, the 5 2 fasting diet plan is one of the most feasible and effective options with a range of benefits that go beyond weight loss.

Why do you really want to lose weight?

Before you even start a diet, it’s important to think about why you really want to lose weight. Many find losing weight can be more difficult than they think. There are many old habits that need to be broken to be able to turn the situation around. When the going gets tough, it’s good to be able to reflect and remember why you are doing this. If it’s just because it is a “should”, then you will probably never follow through. But if you have more compelling reasons, such as you want to set a good example for your kids, you want to be healthy and confident and get the most out of life, etc, etc, then you will have a much better chance of staying focused and committed through the more difficult times. So take some time and think about why you want to lose that weight.

Losing weight is most effective with a proper goal

One of the very first steps when starting the 5 2 fasting diet plan, or any other diet plan for that matter, is to set a target weight to achieve. Whether you wish to lose 20 pounds or to drop 2 dress sizes, it is important to have a numerical value for your target in order to set up a working plan. When you set a goal weight, you will be more focused on your plan and be less likely to cheat, which will result in faster weight loss and an easier adjustment when starting out. Be sure to keep the goal weight realistic and achievable if you are new to dieting.

A proper plan will keep you motivated

Having a target weight will keep you motivated to stick to the diet and to not cheat. However, having a plan is much more than simply setting a goal. When it comes to adopting fast ways to lose weight into your life, it is important to take the time and effort to plan the whole process, and to stick to it, in order to ensure success. Once you know your goal weight, you can then plan your fasting days and feeding days accordingly. As mentioned before, it is best to keep the fasting days non-consecutive, and to try and not exceed the recommended adult calorie intake of 2000 / 2400 calories (for women / men) on feeding days. Many people claim that they don’t feel the need to eat excessively or to choose fattening foods on feeding days and that they slowly adjust to eating healthily even when they are not required to fast.

Planning ahead will give you a wider range of meal & snack options for fasting days

A problem many food lovers will have with the 5 2 diet plan is not having much variety. If you prepare ahead, you can do some research and come up with a wide and varied menu to keep things exciting yet low in calorie intake on fasting days. To make the 5 2 fasting diet plan truly successful, a variety of ingredients, combinations and dishes is absolutely essential. Needless to say, this requires a considerable amount of planning ahead to achieve. The internet is loaded with 5 2 fasting diet plan friendly meals and great ideas for combining delicious and healthy ingredients together. This will allow you to experiment with new and healthy ingredients, and to enjoy your low calorie meals just as much as you would a regular meal, thus preventing temptations and excuses.

Being prepared will allow you to adjust your lifestyle for better health

When it comes to adopting fast ways to lose weight into your life, it is important to take the time and effort to plan the whole process, and to stick to it, in order to ensure success.

In comparison to other fast ways to lose weight, the 5 2 fasting diet plan means minimal changes to your ‘normal’ life; after all, you’re only really dieting for 2 days out of the week. But those 2 days are very important, so you want to get the most out of them and not slip up or be tempted to be naughty. When you research meals and have a proper plan, this will allow you to shop for the right foods, find someone to diet with you and to organize your everyday activities accordingly to help you achieve your weight goal.It will allow you to organize social activities and workout days at the gym around your fasting days. By having a plan and sticking to it, it will set you up for success and give you the best possible chance to make the changes you really want in your life.

Quite a few people have tried the 5 2 diet and failed due to not having a proper plan. Not being equipped with the proper ingredients to prepare your meals on fasting days is the number 1 cause for reverting back to eating something unhealthy. If you intend on adopting the 5 2 fasting diet plan, be sure to take some time and put together a proper plan, and always stick to it, in order to see the results you desire.