The new 5:2 diet thread

[GreenEggsAndNichts]

The continuing thread for those of us following either the 5:2 diet or the alternate-day fasting diet. Both are two versions of Intermittent Fasting, which you can read more about here.

The 5:2 diet was featured on Horizon recently, and essentially requires you to fast for 2 non-consecutive days per week. The other 5 days, you can eat what you like. Alternate-day fasting is just how it sounds; you fast every other day. By "fasting", we mean that we keep our calorie consumption very low, around 500 calories on average, on those days.

Come join us, and tell us about your experiences with this diet! :)

[Ezzza]

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Mumsnet threads have a maximum number of posts which is 1000. As this discussion is so popular our discussion has continued over many new threads.

If you would like to continue reading the discussion, here is a link to thread 3.

If you would like to jump in and join the conversation we'd love to hear from you. Please join us on the latest thread to post your comments. As I'm posting this the latest thread is number 9 which you can find here.

In a few days we'll have outgrown this thread too, but there's always a link to the next thread in the previous one so come and join us!

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[Ezzza]

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[Ezzza]

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[Ezzza]

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[Ezzza]

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[Ezzza]

THREAD CLOSED

Mumsnet threads have a maximum number of posts which is 1000. As this discussion is so popular our discussion has continued over many new threads.

If you would like to continue reading the discussion, here is a link to thread 3.

If you would like to jump in and join the conversation we'd love to hear from you. Please join us on the latest thread to post your comments. As I'm posting this the latest thread is number 9 which you can find here.

In a few days we'll have outgrown this thread too, but there's always a link to the next thread in the previous one so come and join us!

THREAD CLOSED

[BoraBora]

Hey guys, I'd like to know in a nutshell whether the 5:2 is worth doing (I am overwhelmed by the idea of looking through over 2000 posts!)

How much can one expect to lose?

[Angelbex]

Fluids should only be clear and preferably non calorific, so milk is out! Depends on whether you are properly fasting or just Calorie Restricting.

[Angelbex]

I'm a little concerned about a lot of the posts on this thread. There is an excellent Facebook support group page:

5:2 Intermittent Fasting Diet.

It explains an awful lot about how to fast, the benefits and a huge amount of very friendly support and references.

I do 5:2 and fast for 24 hours from 7pm to 7pm then eat a 500 cal meal after 7pm when the fast has ended! Then return on the up days to eating what I like within the constraints of healthy eating and some occasional treats/rewards and my daily maintenance calories. I have lost 6lbs in 4 weeks and feel great!

Most people on the FB group do this! Most have tried eating 500 cals during the 24 hour fast, either in one meal or split across the day and find it easier and better to eat one meal after the fast ends. It's what suits each individual best!

[SweetOnion]

Hello

Im starting the 5:2 diet today, first fasting day today. My last meal was 6pm last night and I'm not planning to eat until about 2pm today where I plan to have some porridge then eat again at 7pm a meal about 300 calls.

I am a bit confused about the 16 hour rule, as it will be 20hrs from my last meal until eating porridge at 2 today. Or does the 16 hours suppose to start after fasting from your last meal which will be 7pm today until 11 am tomorrow.

Hope someone can clarify this for me and I haven't confused you too much!

/emo/te/11.gif

[Amy33]

hi yummy mummies! I am a newbie here!

I did some research on fasting, especially for women and fertility, and these female bloggers (they call themselves health divas) seem to write a LOT about fasting:
//www.healthdivas.co.uk

they explain why you may crave protein in the carbs addiction article, a must read

I am going to join their health divas forum I think which is purely dedicated to fasting. Not that I am planning to fast any time soon, but I think it is interesting to learn from other women's experiences

This mumsnet forum rocks as hubs and I are planning on our first baby :-)

[Piebaldrider]

So my first week over and i did manage to stick to 3 - 500 calorie days although that was not the intention at the start

I think im panicking that it wont work and i need to put more effort in to get a result. I do feel like i have shed a few pounds but as its week one it will be mainly water so next week will be the real test of if this will work for me.

I don't mind the fasting and in a funny way i quite like it and am almost looking forward to the next one as its another step closer to where i want to be.

Yesterday i ate nothing all day until my evening meal, again it wasn't planned like that it just happened because i had an afternoon off work and got busy with horses , then before you know it its 6.30 pm. Just time to nuke a weight watchers ready meal at 230 calories and follow suite with some frozen veg, a couple of pints of orange squash and off to bed for another early night.

I never feel hungry the morning after my fast day and i almost don't want to start eating again but when i do i know that i will get mega hungry so i have to plan theses days more than my fast days.

The morning after is a bit like being in ketosis when you do the Atkins Diet and get a buzz from it.

Its nearly 7am and i wont eat till nearer lunch time as i would like to try and put 16 hours between my 500 calorie day and my normal day so I'm off to ride before work as i still have plenty of energy even if my head is a little out of it .

One other observation i have found after each of my 3 down/fast days is that the next day i crave protein. I don't each much meat as i spent many years as a veggie and OH is still a veggie but i will give my body what is asking for and see what happens. The things i would normally eat seem to lose their appeal and i am naturally seeking out better foods.

Good luck everyone and if its your down /fast day drink losts of water early on in the day and i bet you wont get as many headaches .

[tumbletumble]

Hi all, there's now a new thread here

[manyhatson]

First day of fasting yesterday and it was OK. For me, it's more of a mindset thing as if I'm to keep this up long term, I just need to get into the swing of it.

I might try saving all my calories for one meal as it was virtually pointless eating a tiny breakfast and lunch - I was still hungry and may as well not eaten at all :). Still it was manageable and I'm feeling OK today about the idea of doing it again tomorrow. Early days though... :)

[manyhatson]

I saw the Michael Mosley programme in the summer and have since done a load of research (as much as possible as there's not a huge amount written on the subject - loads of great links in this and other MN links though - thanks!). my DH and I waited until the first clear week with the kids back at school to give this a go and today is our first fast day. We're both doing 5:2 with Tuesday/Thursday as fast days (although I guess I might vary that according to what I have on). In preparation for this, I've reduced my food intake hugely and let myself get used to the feeling of being hungry and in the past month or so I've lost about half a stone so I'm feeling fairly positive.

For me, the weight loss element is a HUGE bonus but it's the health benefits that shouted out from the documentary (plus the health benefits of losing weight - around 2 stone overweight currently with a BMI of 29 before that half a stone loss). So although I will be weighing myself keenly for the 'visible' results of my efforts, what I hope will keep me going long term will be the belief that the IF will help me reduce my risk of brain diseases, diabetes and cancer possibly extending my healthy life. As a 41 year old mum of 2 young children, this is by far my biggest motivator.

[alimorison]

Hi - my husband has just started doing this diet and was wondering about doing exercise on the fast days. If you lose say 400 calories with exercise does that alter the 600 calories you can consume on those days? If anyone has any advice on this I'd be really grateful.

Thanks a lot

[mumblechum1]

DH and I are on week 2 of this diet; yesterday was a fast day and I found it q tough. Today is a "normal" day but I skipped lunch (had breakfast) as I wasn't hungry.

Went out to Zizzis tonight, had a starter, then only managed a third of my main course (superfood salad) and took it home in a doggy box.

Definitely feeling much less hungry on normal days now, after initially pigging out.

Will mosey over to the other thread now.

[Laska42]

HI again I'm on week 4now and fasting today .. and feeling good.. Gosh only a few days out and loads more posts to read!.

I've now lost 7 lbs and 2inches off my waist ,and am finally BMI 'normal' YAY! This is after several years dieting on WW and being 'stuck' gaining and losing the same few pounds for at least the last two years .. I started out as obese so I'm feeling like this is really working where it should be ..(im a typical apple shape)

Just had my dinner (i find its best to have early evening meal on fast days ) Miso veggie chilli chicken soupy thing and had my usual eggs n' ham for breakfast (but i have that every day now!)...

The great thing though is not only am I finding fasting a breeze now , but I have tons more energy ..

This is definitely a lifestyle I can keep to , and when i've lost my final 12lbs (hopefully) -taking me to 10st for my 5'5 frame -ill be keeping it up once a week for life I think ..

Hi all new people who have joined us over the last few days ..

[GreenEggsAndNichts]

MamaGeek just fyi, we've started a new thread here, as this one is 19 posts away from being at the limit for a thread on MN. So please join us there. :)

The first couple of fast days are tough but you'll get there!

[MamaGeekChic]

Yesterday was fast day 2, had a glass of skimmed milk then had a very small plate of spag bol (more bol than spa) at 7pm with one slice of garlic bread tried to resist but failed Found the day quite easy but felt a bit light headed by 5pm.

Eating day today, so far had bowl of crunchy nut cornflakes, a baked potato with chilli, small tub of icecream. Having an indian takeout tonight though.

[ChazsGoldAttitude]

Louise I suspect the amount of calories in a splash of milk in your tea wouldn't take you out of "fasting" mode whereas a latte would. You'd probably use up as much energy making the tea and drinking it as the milk would supply. 25ml of skimmed milk is only about 10 calories. Maybe just limit yourself to a small amount.

[TalkinPeace2]

I fast for 16 hours a day every day.
Its called having supper, then sleeping, then not being a breakfast person and having a light lunch.

[LouiseDavies]

Hi Chaz and thanks for that. I was also wondering if I am trying to carry out a complete 'fast' period twice a week ie: from say teatime Monday (a feed day) until the following lunchtime (which would be a 500 calorie day) would the milk ruin the effects of the fast ( I do count the calories)or would it be better to just stick to water or black tea (which I don't like). Can't find any research on that at all

[ChazsGoldAttitude]

Louise
Milk in tea is fine provided its within your calorie allowance. The Genesis Intermittant diet (linked to reducing breast cancer risk by losing weight) is primarily dairy based so there is no problem with dairy products in of themselves.

[LouiseDavies]

I so agree Greeneggs. I think people are genuinely trying to swop tips but sometimes it is taken as criticism out of context. (And I still haven't an answer re the milk thing lol) and thanks for doing all the admin stuff