Diet Breaks
So I am doing a 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off (TDEE) diet break strategy. This is the first time I have used anything like this. I am genuinely happy at the results so far (8 weeks).
In "4" weeks of dieting I have lost 8 lbs. (of course some of that is water).
Recently when I did straight dieting literally the weight did not seem to come off as well or effortlessly. It is rare that I will step on the scale on my diet weeks and not see some reduction. I suspect something to do with water / glycogen. Like this leaves my body faster when I start dieting again after taking breaks.
It is much easier to give up a certain food if I am just deferring it 2 weeks. Consequently, I am much more compliant when I am on the diet weeks. I actually crave the food. Like looking forward to salad.
I can't be sure but I do think I eat more on my diet days than I think I am eating and yet, I still lose. There seems to be much more wiggle room.
When I was on a long term diet I often had problems with sleeping... But I am not finding that when I am only dieting 2 weeks. I suspect it is a sign that my body is not under stress.
When I do eat TDEE I can over do it, but, because the TDEE period is so short (2 weeks) it is very difficult to binge for any period of time. Any binges are naturally cut short due to having to start cutting. And again, there is wiggle room. One day over doing it doesn't seem to really make me gain like after I have been on a long term diet.
The major drawback so far is that it is difficult to change up. So when I try to "cut" sometimes for the first few days I am not successful, or when I try to eat more, the same. There seems on both ends to be like a 3 day transition period. But I can still just extend the time to make up for it.
The other major drawback is that it takes longer.
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