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Fasting / 5:2 diet

Talk about intermittent fasting and 5:2, including what’s worked for others. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

5:2 Diet Thread: Part Three. Come join us!

986 replies

GreenEggsAndNichts · 07/09/2012 15:51

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.

Here is a list of the links we've gathered so far about this diet. I hope I haven't left many out, but it was a 40 page thread! This is a good start for anyone, though:

First things first, here is a link to our previous thread, which we've outgrown. Lots of good support and ideas still to be found there.

Here is the link to the BBC article regarding Michael Mosley's findings, which was featured on Horizon.

is a link to the first part of the aforementioned Horizon, subsequent parts of that episode are linked on that page.

There is a Wiki article here which explains intermittent fasting and gives a short summary of some studies which have been done on it.

A blog post here gives some of the scientific explanation for why this way of eating helps you to not only lose weight, but improve your all-around health.

A Telegraph article which comments on the diet and gives a brief overview.

A study discussed here gives commentary specifically addressing the effect of this diet on obese people (both men and women), with regard to both health and weight loss. ("After 8 weeks of treatment, participants had an average 12.5 lbs reduction in body weight and a 4 cm decrease in waist circumference. Total fat mass declined by about 12 lbs while lean body mass remained relatively constant.) it also mentions "Plasma adiponectin, a protein hormone that is elevated in obesity and associated with heart disease, dropped by 30%. As did LDL cholesterol (25%) and triglycerides (32%).")

Important link if you are currently your ideal BMI: this appears to suggest the benefits for women at a lower BMI might not be seeing the same health benefits that are found on men at their ideal BMI.

And for those already fasting, here is a link to 100 snacks under 100 calories. :)

Another food link, here is a link to the BBC Goof Food site, with a list of low-calorie soups.

I will start a different thread just for recipe links, though, as there seems to be some demand for that.

A BIG THANK YOU to all who have been contributing, btw. Most of us are new to this diet. All of the links above have been posted by others in our previous thread, and they've been very helpful. Sorry if I haven't given credit where it's due, but it was just enough of a job getting them all in one post this afternoon. Wink

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

OP posts:
vigglewiggle · 20/09/2012 14:13

I Have been weighing everything! And using MyFitnessPal to calculate my totals. I am certain I have come in under 500 cals. I have to say that my jeans do feel a bit looser - I think I may have shaved a few mm off my waist and thighs.

I will stick with it for a bit longer and keep my fingers crossed. Thanks for replying mommybunny.

TellMeLater · 20/09/2012 14:16

vigglewiggle my weight has fluctuated by 3kg in 3 days - that can't be fat, the bloody simply cannot burn or store fat that quickly, it's natural water loss/ retention. I'm a daily weigher and the only way to see whether ou are gaining or
losing is to monitor your highest or lowest weight over a couple of weeks. I plot mine on he mfp app - it reassures me that weight fluctuation are part of normal boldly function and not necessarily fat gain.

TellMeLater · 20/09/2012 14:17

The body simply can't burn...auto correct humph!

mumofcrazynamedkids · 20/09/2012 14:29

vigglewiggle - i have been doing this for 7 weeks, and although I seemed to lose 5 pounds in first 2 weeks, i then gained back 4 in next 2 weeks, i have now stopped weighing myself, I have decided to continue, a for health reasons, and b, because restricting to under 500 on 2 days allows me to eat what i like on other days without guilt, and if I was eating what I liked on 7 days, I would surely be gaining weight! I think that it will balance out and we may lose weight less quickly than others (but maybe we don't have as much to lose?), maybe on average half a pound a week with natural fluctuations, but as a long term life plan, this is still great, and for me anyway much more do-able than oher diets, I really think I could do this long term.

but also it could just be a time of the month fluctuation, I would try not to stress.

chin up Smile

vigglewiggle · 20/09/2012 14:50

Thanks! I'll keep going, it's too soon to declare it a failure and as you say, there are other health benefits too!

loulou969 · 20/09/2012 15:17

Hi vigglewiggle & mumofcrazyI am in the same position, not losing much and wondering if I am eating too much or not enough on the other days! Like you I am continuing with this for the health reasons and I LIKE this way of eating. I would calculate I have around 14 to 18 pounds to lose to be at optimum weight for myself and my body. Keep on trucking Wink

LookBehindYou · 20/09/2012 15:19

My weight has fluctuated a lot too. Sometimes I get depressed thinking that fluctuation is just due to whether I've done a big poo or not (sorry, way way too much information). But my sports bra is no longer giving me 4 boobs and I look good in my cords now as opposed to being able to just about do them up. I definitely look leaner. So I'm pretty happy.

Dazbotny · 20/09/2012 15:31

Hi All, this is my first post on here, ive been secretly dropping in to see how others are getting on but felt like i should share my experience so far as I am having many of the same experiences as other.

This is only my second week, 2nd fast day today, when I started last week weighed myself monday i was 14st, as off this morning I am 13st 5 Ilbs. Extremley happy with the weight loss in such a small time as i am finding the whole WOE very easy.

The main thing i wanted to share about this diet is the way in which it has completley changed my whole outlook on food, i love food, love large portions and have NEVER had any self control around all of the wrongs food types (biscuits, crisps, chocolate, takeways etc etc) but since doing the 5:2 diet on my non fast days Ive started to eat much more healthy without even trying, I now look at all the unhealthy snacks as unnecessary calories and even when a a plate of food is put infront of me, I seem to be looking at it thinking 'I honestly dont need to eat all of that!' & for the first time in my life i am leaving food on my plate.

This diet seems to be everything I have always been looking for because, as we all know, for long term weight loss and a maintained weight, its a complete change of life style needed and a different approach to what we eat, if im honest the 5:2 diet has made me think of myself as abit of a pig before i started on the diet, for the first time im realising how little food we actually have to consume to survive.

I eat 2 boiled egg whites with 2 slices of 30 kal ham for lunch then a M&S 300kal meal for dinner on fast days, even manage to squeeze in a brew & curly whirly at 8pm to get rid of that dreaded hunger strike while watching all my tele programmes, i generally have an early one to stop the hunger coming back.

I too get a funny taste in my mouth when fasting - nothing that a chewing gum wont solve :)

Sorry to rabbit on abit its just its good to know theres others in the same boat out there, plus I hoped my weight loss (so far) may encourage others to continue....

It really does work!!!

MandaHugNKiss · 20/09/2012 16:49

Yesterday, I was my lowest weigh-in weight so far at 60.3kg... and for some reason had a pretty crazy day food wise, even for my normal habits, eating far more 'sweet stuff' than usual (including two big in-store baked cookies from sainsbury, a GU black forest gateau pudding argh another ramekin! a tesco finest chocolate mousse - if I didn't know better I'd say my period was due except I am almost 18 weeks post partum, ebf, and they still haven't returned... yet!). Back up to 60.9 this morning, but that is still lower than the 61.2-5 where I have hovered for the last three weeks or so. Tomorrow, I fast.

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 20/09/2012 17:19

Right fasting tomorrow and need to be organized - ideas for 300-350kcak meal I can have late afternoon please!!

ILoveLemonCurd · 20/09/2012 18:20

Hi TML I did do low carbing once following India Knight's Pig to Twig. I stuck to it for a week. The weight fell off but I just couldn't keep it up. I got too grumpy and couldn't run for toffee. It just didn't work for me at all. I am now trying to cut back on carbs, I haven't eaten bread for ages and I used to go to Tesco and munch my way through piles of their speciality breads. I don't miss it too much. Sugar was/is my main problem. I love puddings and chocolate. There has been a big improvement there though and I can resist now. Some really heavy puds put me off now. How you run while low carbing I don't know but it's brilliant that it works for you.

So my fast has been a bit hit or miss today, after my snacking this morning. I've got through the day and just had my tea of vegetables and a tiny bit of leftover chilli. I am stuffed now. Roughly 800 cals for the day which is manageable and still quite restricted for me.

I have a night out tomorrow, yippee and a big nosh up. Must fit in another run before then! And a friend said this morning that I'm looking slim, I love her Grin

coribells · 20/09/2012 18:44

Well I am on second week of this diet. Today was a fast day. I had 1 piece of WW toast for brekky , an apple and satsuma .
For dinner I had salmon and a big plate of veggies . I have to say I am finding fast days pretty easy now. Am really liking this way of eating . I am surprised im not feeling hungry as I always used to have second helpings . I'm still doing alternate day fasting as I have loads to loose.

rosemarysage · 20/09/2012 19:01

Did a fast day yesterday which went fine. My next one won't be til next Monday as I decided to take it easy with fasting this week. I weighed in yesterday morning (so after 2 normal eating days) and I have now lost 6 pounds in 6 weeks Grin. I might not lose any this week but if I maintain that 6 pound loss I will be happy.

About fluctuating weight, I fluctuate a lot around the time of my periods so generally don't bother weighing myself for around a week at that time.

I saw this interesting talk online about diet and appetite. It is not about fasting but still thought it was interesting (and thought the speaker was really nice and not judgey or critical about people being overweight, so it felt really easy to watch). I hope it is ok to post here even though it is not about fasting. It gave me some extra motivation for some reason.

How to Lose Weight Without Losing Your Mind

BelinaTheChicken · 20/09/2012 19:06

Non fast day today, but have been trying to eat more healthily on normal days anyway. Was doing really well, then decided to have a massive cheese sandwich, on white bread (which I don't like, but was all we had as DH has it for lunches) with butter. Felt so bloated and sick afterward, and didn't even manage the whole thing. Think that much grease was to much for me even after only a few days eating more healthily.

Fast day tomorrow (doing 4:3), having yellow courgette soup for lunch, then veggie noodles for dinner. Still having to leave 100cals aside for coffee, can't seem to wean myself off the coffee mate Blush, so classy!

BelinaTheChicken · 20/09/2012 19:10

GirlWithMousyHair try noodle soup using the chinese style egg noodles from M&S, only 80cals a nest, I simmer loads of veg in stock with lemongrass, coriander and chilli in, then add the noodles and some soy sauce. Less than 200cals for that, so you can add chicken or prawns or something for some protein. So filling, couldn't even finish mine yesterday

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 20/09/2012 19:16

that sounds good Belina I'm also really up for trying those burgers, but do find soup properly fills me up...need to go shopping for some noodles though (oh I miss M&S)

lucysnowe · 20/09/2012 19:37

Hi guys well end of first fast day and didn't do too badly... until 4 ish which is kind of the witching hour and ate in quick succession handful of peanuts, bit of toast and more peanuts!! But still fairly on course, I will just have to eat a little less tonight. So am feeling fairly positive. My goodness it was hard tho!

DisorderlyNights · 20/09/2012 19:50

I've overdone it today (feed day) as baking for dd2's birthday. Feel sick and lethargic and generally rotten. Whereas before I started this WOE more days were spend overdoing it like this than not.

Skinnyeye · 20/09/2012 20:29

Hi Fasters and Feasters eating day for me today on a bizarre fasting week! Normally fast Monday and Thursday but has a lunch thing at work so was aiming for Tuesday and Thursday. Tuesday went really well had 2 slices of smoked ham and salad at lunch and made some chilli tomato, red lentil and chickpea soup from bbc good food (an excellent resource for inspiration) for dinner. Yesterday was supposed to be an eating day I had more of the soup for lunch, stopped off at the pub on the way home and had a pint of Stella and a packet of Salt and Vinegar McCoys coming in about 600 cals so almost 2 fast days in a row - not intentional I had a job application to do and was stressed and too busy to eat. Not quite how I planned it but ...

Skinnyeye · 20/09/2012 20:35

Another recipe thread
www.tinnedtomatoes.com/2012/08/52-diet-menu-options.html#.UFtup7JlTa
l

LookBehindYou · 20/09/2012 20:42

Thanks Skinny! I came across this website some time ago but couldn't remember the name of it.

Laska42 · 20/09/2012 20:45

Eating day today and I have tried to remember to eat!.. Does that sound strange? I've found since doing this that my hunger ups and downs have gone.. and at the moment on eating days I'm finding that I'm just not getting hungry at all and actually don't fancy food much at all ..Has anyone else been finding this .?

However because I know I should be eating normally on food days and Idont want to put my metabolism into starvation mode , I have 'womanfully' managed an omelette (2 eggs) with tomatoes and slice of ham for breakfast (my normal breakfast anyway on this WOE) then had a handful of blueberries and 10 almonds at about 10.30 but that would have done me I think , but I ate my lunchtime salad (just a couple of slices of plain chicken breast and salad veggies with some h/m pesto dressing) , i had a banana too but couldn't face it..

But this evening its been a real struggle to eat anything at all .. I went to Sainsburys on my the way home and fancied nothing at all..in fact the sight of all the food made me feel quite queasy

Have just had another slice of chicken and a pickled onion and a glass of wine.. but I'm stuffed !

But it cant be even a 1000 calories .... Anyone else struggling on eating days ? I used to be such a pig too before starting this WOE (been just over a month now)

Laska42 · 20/09/2012 20:48

oh and I had a slice of smoked cheese with my salad .. forgot about that..only adding this here down because id posted about it.!

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 20/09/2012 21:01

yeah I'm finding that Laska - or that I'll get hungry but will fill up so quickly so just end up picking throughout the day.

Anyone fancy doing some sums for me? Today was going to be feast day as we had friends over for dinner but now they've cancelled so might turn it into fast if I've kept under 500kcals and eat tomorrow instead when I have a long day + workout planned.

So today I've had prob 50kcals of milk then:

2sardines on 1 piece whole bread (with bit of butter)
half slice of toast and marmite (again bit of butter)
1orange
5 olives
3 tblspns no-fat yoghurt with 3 figs

That's probably over isn't it? Bloody butter....what's an intermediate day again?!

Laska42 · 20/09/2012 21:23

GWTMH have you joined Myfitnesspal ? you can track everything on there but give me a mo and ill do an approx for you..