I’d like to share a strategy I’ve been using to count calories because it’s been working well for me.

I first calculated my TDEE at my goal weight, which was about 2000 calories. I then multiplied that by 7 to find my weekly caloric budget, which was about 14000 calories.

Now, two days each week I fast, eating much less than 2000 calories those days. That frees up calories for other days such as weekends and holidays. Each week I make sure that my caloric total is 14000 or less.

It’s been successful; I’ve been following this 5:2 routine for 14 weeks and have dropped 16 lbs. I think the rate will slow down as I approach my target weight, which is still 15 lbs. away. But I’m moving steadily in the right direction.

I’m enjoying the 5:2 strategy because I’m denying myself only two days a week. I no longer fear weekend holidays or restaurant dinners because it’s now OK to mildly overeat: I know I can make up for it by fasting the following week.