I love love love the 5:2 all the way idea. A couple of years ago I wrote something on shopping which can apply to food (eating and shopping for it) and exercise and just about anything. I love the idea that trying to be a bit better is still worthwhile; I’m not a failure for not being perfect all the damn time. Keeping the 5:2 philosophy in mind seems like a great idea.
Here’s the piece on shopping :
It’s ok, you can be a bit bad –
We’re shopping in an age when almost every purchase comes with a free gift of self loathing. If only we could NOT want the latest bag, most flattering dress or that perfect pair of shoes, then we’d be ok. But we do. We want it and we want it now. They tell us to buy British, buy organic, Fairtrade (but not flown in, no way), to make sure it’s sustainably sourced, ethically made. It should be advertised in a feminist, egalitarian, inclusive manner. We should plan on using it at least until forever and then re-using it some more just in case it can’t be properly recycled. The pressure! All we wanted was a sweet dress for our best friend’s summer wedding.
Don’t panic. You can be a bit bad without being evil. Take a moment to stop and think about what you’re buying. Just do one thing a bit better. Anything. Shopping better might not be “knit-your-own-muesli” worthy but it’s worthy enough to avoid some of that post-consumption hangover resulting from a binge in a tawdry shop whose specialty is cheap knockouts sold with a knowing sneer. Plus that little hit of worthiness will give you double the kick you’re looking for from a spree.