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! :)

Oh dear just been on holiday and really enjoyed life and completely forgot about the fasting. Its hard to switch back to the fasting days.

Hello all, I've been lurking a while. If you noticed that uncomfortable feeling of being watched: it was me!

After reading the old thread, I did a little more research (mostly via the links within the thread!) and told DF I was planning to start. When I explained why he said he wanted to come along for the ride (he's become increasingly frustrated over the last year or so that although he exercises more than ever and is mostly quite good with his diet, he's piled on about a stone or so mostly around the belly area ).

As for me, I'm 14 weeks PP (fourth baby) and still ebf. Before DS2 (third baby) I was 58kg and happy there. After him, I was 61kg and then went up to 63... Fell pregnant when he was 9months but that ended as a mid-tri loss. My focus after that was just. Get. Pregnant. Again... which resulted in DS3. At 66.7kg, at the end of July, I started LCing - Despite doing really well for a couple of weeks I couldn't take it all day every day as I really don't cook very much and it became horribly repetitive. I wasn't eating because I just could face more eggs, more ham, more steak... blurgh.

So, first fast day was tuesday. I found it really easy but then as I said, I'd not been eating an awful lot in the week prior. DF struggled a little more than me but he was surprised that the reality of a 'starve' as he calls it, wasn't as hard going as he imagined it would be. Our second day was yesterday.

We (he particularly) have been so surprised how how it affects us psycologically: the whole 'I can eat what I like tomorrow' to get through any wobbles on a fast day but that, once tomorrow comes, you are generally not that hungry, skip breakfast, and actually don't over eat.

This morning I was 61.5kg and he was 2kg down from when he weighed himself monday. We don't feel deprived. It just feel sustainable. I'm also really interested/motivated by the health benefits too.

Ok deep breath, been lurking, this is my first post, weigh 11st 2lb, would like to lose a stone. Didn't see original programme but two friends who are dementia specialists raved about it (both very interested in Health benefits) I have had 2 fast days this week, Tuesday ( ate boiled egg toast for breakfast; veg stir fry for dinner) Friday (2 boiled eggs for breakfast; chicken salad for dinner, goats cheese). I stupidly did not weigh myself before starting. Overall the fasting has been fine, apart from the awful headaches, will aim to drink more water. Also been a bit irritable, period arrived this week too.

I have reasonable diet rest of week, don't eat a lot of carbs. Have a bad track record at keeping up new routines re trying exercises - lots of enthusiasm which wains after 2 weeks. intend walking to work when school starts back , have got a walking buddy for that.

I am off to visit freinds next month and would love to have lost even smidge of weight by then.

ooh welcome lurkers Manda and drb :)

Am finishing my fast day today and I'm addicted to this thread so have just come to check in. I find posting and reading yours posts to be very motivating!

I finally told DH today what I was doing. It'll make things easier, so he isn't wondering why I'm not eating things on some days. I told him that I've planned it so that our Sunday lunches aren't disturbed, etc. He's intrigued, but he's been doing a version of this himself, on and off, without the actual calorie counting, so he understands the concept and doesn't think it's odd. He would like to lose a bit of weight, but as a % he's a lot closer to his goal weight than I am. I'll share some links with him at some point in case he's interested.

Totally agree re: that next day on the horizon just in case you get tempted. I've been okay my last few fast days, but the first few I was hungry and that's probably all that kept be going!

I will possibly be visiting family overseas in Oct (this is something that's come up today and I'm still in the process of deciding/planning on) and I will use this as more incentive to stick with it at least that long.

Welcome noobs.

Have had my usual saturday, involving WINE. And sugar. But actually, this afternoon while I was out and about, I was really conscious of not wanting snacks. Am back to a morning fast tomorrow (one of my two 'half' days) and then fasting again proper on Monday.

As nancy said earlier, am getting, er, very backed up on this regime again. Must up my fruit and veg... but when I do 'go', I lose a fair bit on the scales the next day...

Just realised I am also 'backed up', was out all day today, not in normal routine so didn't notice, hopefully strawberries for supper will help!!

Hi all,
another normal day for me - fasting tomorrow! I have worked out my approximate intake today and make it just over 2000. Too many sweets, but I think it is partially because I am tired and craving sugar.
I don't think I am eating as healthily as usual on normal days because I viewing them a little like 'treat' days. I hope I can get back to my usual, quite healthy diet on normal days.
So tomorrow plan on a milky coffee mid-morning and then probably2 egg ham omelette with carrots, celery and radishes then not sure about the evening. I have some frozen prawns so might defrost some and make a stir-fry with rice or something like that.
Also hoping to have a bit of a lie-in so the morning should pass quite quickly.
It's my weighing day tomorrow, feel I haven't lost anything, but
Anyone else fasting tomorrow.

laska42 I am post-meno by quite a considerable amount (I'm 60) and YES, it does become more difficult to lose weight - maintaining is even worse. I am a serial dieter and this year alone have done Atkins and IPD. Don't think the low-carb suits me (I love the food but get very constipated) and at the time I discovered 5:2 I was on Carol Vorderman detox, which I like apart from the time spent in the kitchen! I haven't weighed myself yet - Wednesday is weighing day after next fast day - but will post results. I definitely feel thinner :-) (old git that I am I haven't worked out how to do smileys yet...)

Does anyone else wake up after a fasting day just not hungry? I fasted yesterday and usually feeling hungry and eat lots for breakfast. Yesterday was the second day I've fasted this week and both times I've woken up the next day not feeling hungry.

I've also woken up both times with a slightly sore throat and have seen that mentioned on here.

Finding MyFitnessPal really helpful for tracking my calories too, if anyone wants to add me I'm Lazychu .

I haven't lost any weight so far - 3rd week (5th fast) starts tomorrow, trying to focus on the health benefits. Would like to lose a couple of lbs, not much just a bit.

It's odd that you haven't lost any weight Spring. I haven't been weighing myself much but can feel with my jeans that I'm smaller around my waist. Could it just be that you are changing shape? Have you measured your waist? Have you being doing more exercise than normal and put on muscle?

For me it's my waist that I was worried about as my extra pounds have settled there and everyone keeps saying that apple shapes are the most dangerous.

Have you tried tracking your calories on Myfitnesspal too? It is really helping me .

My waist has got smaller gone down an inch - now 26 inches and I am doing quite a lot of exercise but not building muscle mass - I don't build muscle mass that easily. But my arse and my thighs are remarkably resistant to any of my attempts to slim them down.

I think you are heading in the right direction Spring and I wouldn't get disheartened, an inch is really good .

If my DH ever wants to slim down he never weighs himself as he gives up really quickly, he just measures his waist. He finds it much easier to motivate himself that way, as he may not be loosing much weight but is definitely changing shape.

You mention you'd like to just lose a few pounds, Spring, does that mean you're very close to your ideal weight? I only ask because that makes it more likely that it will take you longer than those of us with a lot to lose.

But I admit, it's a bit odd that you haven't had any reduction on the scales. Most people will see something happen on the scales, if only for the fact that they've got less food passing through their system. (Which is why that first week always tracks such a high number.)

oh alright, I cross-posted there, sorry. Well done, Spring :) Just stick with it, if it feels like something you want to keep up with. Sounds like you're doing great.

JiltedJohns I feel that way! Today is an eating day and I'll probably have a cup of coffee in a bit. Not saying I'll be virtuous all day (tis Sunday after all :) Have some baking plans..) but I have felt this way after all of my fast days.

2012fan if you take the nose out of your smileys there, you'll get a regular smile like this :) If you look below the box where you're entering text, you'll see a list of all the special smilies.

Like, here's a , something we can all have regardless of fasting or eating today.

I finally got some batteries for the scales & weighed myself - 91.7kg that's down from 93 or 94 (can't remember!) 13 days ago.

I was 101 when I started (6 weeks ago I think) & my first goal was to get my BMI down to 36 (which was booking weight with dc4) which I've reached now :) Next goal is 88kg which will get my BMI below 35.

I've missed a couple of fast days (I'm doing ADF) during that last 2 weeks & had 3 really calorie heavy days out. I'm hoping to be super strict for the next two weeks as would love to be in the mid-80s as soon as possible. I'm not splitting my calories on fast days now - usually have two white coffees & a miso soup or something for about 100 calories all together then the rest in one meal in the evening (fish/eggs/cheese + salad or vegetables).

As suggested by wilself I re-weighed myself this morning, am 10st 13, as opposed to 11.2 from last night, mental note to self - will do weigh in morning time.

DH decided to join in, he is a runner, very fit but high cholesterol and family history of heart problems.

We aim to do Tuesday and Thursday , we normally don't eat a lot of fish, dh not a big fan, but I plan our fasting days will be eggs for breakfast and fish and veg for tea.

Must remember to eat more fruit rest of week to help digestive system

Can I recommend dried apricots for 'digestion'? I've found that having 4 - 30g which is 55 calories - will help a lot with bowel movements .

I was out with friends last night and they spoke about fasting on a monday and tuesday. So today I find myself looking into it.

I am currently doing Weight watchers and have lost 19 pounds. Just wondered if anyone else is doing this and incorporating the fasting days into the plan.

Have enjoyed reading this thread thankyou.

I've lost inches this week rather than poundage. Happy with that, since loosing weight is just a nice bonus!!

Yes I'm close to my target weight - I put on about 4 lbs this summer - holidays, eating out a lot, not getting to exercise as much have contributed but I'm really struggling to dump the extra fat, which translates to an extra inch around thighs and an inch around my hips and I want to to go as quickly as it seemed to appear!

Thankyou Green Eggs - it isn't how they tell you in the help :)

Well I had a very naughty eating day yesterday - lunch out AND a takeaway AND a bottle of wine with a friend but have been particularly good today, just home made veggie soup, lots of tea and coffee and one hard boiled egg and one banana so far.

I think, as someone said earlier in the thread, it is so much easier to be very good on some days if you know you can have a treat on another and not feel like you've "ruined" your diet!

having watched the programme (and most of his earlier ones)
DO NOT fast two days in a row - part of the idea is to create a cycle that you will maintain for the next 40 years

he was also VERY clear about it being flexible : if Tuesday is a party then make Wednesday the fast day etc etc

the most interesting point to me was the fact that for those who have stopped growing, skipping meals is NOT WRONG
I make my kids have something three times a day - but once bones have stopped growing, really the long term calorie level is far more important than three meals a day - which is an entirely modern / westernised / artificial construct.