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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.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

5:2 Diet Thread: Part Five! Top of the Mornin' to you!

977 replies

GreenEggsAndNichts · 07/10/2012 17:53

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 a month or two ago, 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 we've filled several threads by now. Please share if you find something particularly useful, and we'll add it for the next thread.

First things first, here are links to some of our previous threads: most recent one before that another one.

Another thread which breadandwine has just started can be found here. We'll be trying to condense some of our top tips for fasting there. Keep in mind, we all do this differently, so these are just tips, not rules.

frenchfancy has a recipe thread over here, please post any low-calorie recipes there so they don't get lost in these bigger threads!

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.

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. We tend to favour lots of hot drinks during the day (count your milk if you use it!)

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

We often mention basal metabolic rate (BMR) here. This refers to the amount of energy (calories) a person uses when at rest; so, the basic number of calories a person needs to stay the same weight. This number is often quoted as being 2000 calories for the "average" woman, but of course is different depending on how tall you are, how much you weigh, etc. Here is a calculator which will easily help you to find out what your BMR is.

A BIG THANK YOU to all who have been contributing, btw. Most of us are learning this way of eating as we go along. All of the links above have been posted by others in our previous threads, 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:
Trills · 12/10/2012 09:04

There is leftover curry in the fridge from Wednesday so I may have that for lunch...

frenchfancy · 12/10/2012 09:32

Next time DP complains he doesn't want to drink wine alone, tell him not to drink wine on a Thursday night - save it for the weekend.

No point in fasting all day then having a glass of wine you didn't really want IMO.

Trills · 12/10/2012 09:38

Oh but I did want it... :)

Thelittlestranger · 12/10/2012 09:43

My half fast day today...I've had a banana for breakfast so far, and will either just have some tomatoes and ham for lunch or nothing until dinner.

This WOE is definitely helping me readjust the way I look at food. I haven't lost anything this week, but I haven't gained anything either. As I was away all last weekend with my girlfriends eating and drinking what I wanted, I'm very pleased with that! But I would like a 2lb loss this week...

Cheese and honey? Can't get my head round that....

I don't look at recipe books on fast days, but I do do my online shop and meal plan for the following week. By thinking about food, perhaps it means we still get the pleasure without actually eating it.

catsrus · 12/10/2012 10:21

oh bloody hell - Belina thanks for that link - this explains why my weight loss has stalled for the last few weeks. I only need 1607 daily calories to maintain weight Shock.

A wake up call, I think, as to what "normal eating" should be for me! I am 11-12lbs down on my starting weight but haven't lost anything for 3 weeks. On the plus side I have been out for a few nice meals and had Wine and haven't put any back on Smile - and I'm getting the other health benefits [crossed fingers emoticon]

Fast day today so I'm going to try to hold out for a nice evening meal - will be keeping busy Grin

GreenEggsAndNichts · 12/10/2012 11:10

Yes Belina thanks for that- it's better than the one I have in the OP. :) The on in the OP is one several posters were using in our previous threads, but we were taking it and doing our own calculations (they're mentioned on the link itself, once you sort BMR you then figure out what calories you need according to your activity levels).

Non-fast day here. Taken my first Ocado delivery this morning; along with a generally healthy, normal shop, I might have treated us to two naice pains au chocolat. They're one of DH's favourites, and I thought they'll be a nice surprise for him.

Which leads me to my question- I suspect most of us have lower grocery bills due to this WOE. Does anyone else find themselves springing for the slightly more expensive version of something they might normally get? Like a bar of Lindy instead of a box of Cadburys? (just an example off the top of my head)

OP posts:
Laska42 · 12/10/2012 11:15

Hi all thanks for the kind concerns about the cramps.. I was asking because they have got worse in the last few weeks and i was thinking about nutrition

I do get back spasms sometimes , Doc and chiro visits haven't helped and honestly think its down to stress ( family , errant son!! me finding it hard to let go ) , and too much sitting at the computer.. I've been spending a lot of time stuck here writing a major report and i've another to do now. Also i'm doing a creative writing course!..

so I must make more time for exercise.. I used to do yoga , and have thought about pilates , but I have to say one problem is that its difficult to stay late at work in the evening and once i've got back here I'm not hugely motivated to go out again once i've got home.. live in a rural area.. and there's nothing much nearby.. but yes I really DO need to sort this out ..

Anyway . my official friday WI confirmed my 12 loss for this week , and so im dead chuffed! and hey its eating today and tomorrow!! ..

Im finding the 16 hour thing pretty much a breeze now,whereas i used to cave at about 14 hr.. I seem to be able to delay my breakfast which was to be a big mental barrier for me and have only just eaten my eggs now, which probably means I wont want lunch now,, but its ok friday night hubby-home blow out for me later... plenny WineGrin.

Next week could be a challenge though , am away visiting for most of it ..

cyclistist my scorchio delivery has just arrived!! 6 packs of lovely D's Grin though I ration them due to cost and DH doesnt like them (even better) .. Go on, you know you want to.. Wink

GreenEggsAndNichts · 12/10/2012 11:15

Lindt, not Lindy. sigh.

OP posts:
Laska42 · 12/10/2012 11:18

yes good calculator . it shows me the same as the one we have here , but easier to use . i second it going on the links instead of the BMR one we have now

Trills · 12/10/2012 11:19

I've been buying posh but low-calorie soups to take to work on fast days - like this for example .

GreenEggsAndNichts · 12/10/2012 11:19

Yep, just have to wait til the next thread, since I can't edit the post. :(

OP posts:
GreenEggsAndNichts · 12/10/2012 11:20

Trills hey that's the brand I was eyeing- have you tried the Tuscan Chicken soup? I think I'll give them a try.

OP posts:
Trills · 12/10/2012 11:21

Not tried the chicken - the Azteca (mexican tomatoey) is really nice.

Laska42 · 12/10/2012 11:44

greeneggs you are definitely right about the grocery bills.. mine have gone down massively.....

Trouble is I seem to be spending a lot more on new clothes...Hmm ..I really must sell some on ebay again now..

Thelittlestranger · 12/10/2012 12:31

I highly rcommend cleaning to take away cravings. Nearly caved and had pate on toast for lunch today, when I'm trying to eat much less today to make up for wine tonight. But I cleaned the house and had a cold sausage instead, so should be able to stick to my soup for lunch. I'm definitely an all or nothing type of girl...either eat, or don't eat! At least I've stayed away from the flapjacks.l.until this evening.

That calculator says I can have between 2000 and 2300 calories per day, depending on if I go to the gym 3 or 4 times per week, to maintain. When I was pregnant I must have been inhaling calories to get to the weight I was...6lb until pre pregnancy, then another 10lbs to my happy weight. I CAN do it. The boy is only 4 months old, so this is the quickest I've lost the weight with all three children, so that's something.

I haven't bought more expensive things as such, as I've just discovered mysupermarket.com and they keep on saying how much I can save with other (cheaper) alternatives. But I do put more thought in to my eating day meals...

TheCyclistist · 12/10/2012 12:37

Hi Greeneggs , yeah know what you mean about the lower food shopping bills, and have also been 'upgrading' on choices for 'feasting' days.

Morning Laska , unfortunately most of the savings have been spent at a certain chillifood website (someonewho shall remain nameless) forwarded me the link to Wink

Although normally doing 4:3 no more fasting for me now till Tuesday as will only do half fast on Sunday (16 or so hours) on account of daughters birthday celebration one of my usual fast days in an amazing Curry restaurant in Theydon Bois.

Hope all goes well for everyone day, be you fasting or feasting or Wine ing. And remeber if things get tough today there's always tomorrow when food will taste ten times better Grin

MikeOxardForHalloween · 12/10/2012 13:06

Fast day, and I have just spent most of my calories on ww risotto again. Calories well spent though, I love that dish!

Feeling a bit slim today, mwahahahaha! Had a sneaky weigh in and I am about 3lb away from my pre-ds weight. I am 1lb off having lost 4 stone since my biggest (at 9 months pregnant with ds), so that's almost 2 stone off since starting this diet about 9 weeks ago. I would like to lose about another stone (I am still 1st 3lb away from my pre-dd weight), but I am confident I can do that pretty quickly, especially as I'm so motivated now.

I have booked a consultation about a tummy tuck to get rid of my apron of excess skin which is hanging down over my c-sec scar (nice!). Any advice/experience of this welcome! I have booked the consultation for a month's time which at this rate of weight loss will mean that I'm at my ideal weight then - it will definately keep me motivated, as it's a real deadline then. :)

Laska42 · 12/10/2012 13:18

MikeOFH You've lost nearly 2 stone in 9 weeks? WOW....! That's amazing .. Well done! Grin

TalkinPeace2 · 12/10/2012 13:29

Weigh in today - 9 stone 3 = 11 pounds lost since the start of term. BMI under 21.5.
Pizza and wine tonight !!!

Laska
Do you have a wii? Its just that the yoga on wii fit is actually quite good and you can do it when fits with you....

Mike
before you do that, do AS MUCH abs exercise as you can face - as the stronger the muscles behind that skin, the better the circulation and the sooner you'll recover :-)

kiwigirl42 · 12/10/2012 13:31

Thank you for all the info in this thread. I did about 3 fast days then had one where I just could not do it as I was SO hungry, and sort of fell off the wagon. But I've been in bed with a migraine since Monday and going to use these 'fast' days to get me started. I also found out on Monday that I am on the 18 wk list for a hysterectomy (for my migraines, since we've tried everything else save cutting off my head!) so I'd like to lose 15kg at least before then.

So are going to do 4:3 and see how it goes. Ive just received the Hairy Bikers diet book and the recipes look great in there, both for fast and eat days.

Thanks for all your inspiration. I had 2 pieces of toast, butter and jam this morning before deciding I would make it another fast day so that will be my 500 cals easily I'd have thought.

Mintyy · 12/10/2012 13:32

There is something wrong with me Sad Sad Sad.

I have followed the rules to the letter for 6 weeks. Yesterday was fast day 13.

I think I may have lost 2 or 3lb but that is all. Fucking hell!

Laska42 · 12/10/2012 13:37

talkin .. no I dont , but thinking of putting one on my xmas list .. ( arrgh sorry, did I just say that C word? slap me!)

TalkinPeace2 · 12/10/2012 13:40

((Minty)) Are you monitoring your calories REALLY carefully - everything, honestly, weighing it. What are you averaging on non fast days (and how tall are you) - there WILL be a reason, we just have to find it ....

Laska
Don't wait till then - LOADS of them in Pawn shops for around £60 including Wii fit board .... - yup they have been used but hey, they come with warranty ...

LookBehindYou · 12/10/2012 13:50

talkin I read that as 'do you have a will* and was thinking crikey, poor Laska only mentioned cramp!

TheCyclistist · 12/10/2012 14:10

Mintyy reading the posts of those that have lost tens of pounds must feel like a kick in the face but you'll do yourself a favour by not measuring yourself against other peoples weightloss. 3LB in 6 weeks with 13 fasts so I reckon you're doing 5:2, that'd be close to 2 stone in a year and only you know whether this WOE is comfortable for you for a year. If you were 2 stone lighter now than a year ago would you be in a better place?

Stepping up to 4:3 might be an option if you want to lose quicker and if you feel that it'll fit in comfortably with your lifestyle...but only you know whether that'd work or is do-able

One of the strengths of this is hopefully we're in this for life and if we find ways of coping with the 'down' calorie doys then we have stumbled on to an amazing gift that will benefit our health, keep us looking and feeling better and boost the sales of smaller size UK clothes manufacturers Wink

We're all feeling our way with this but my advice would be, make sure you're protein levels are low (but not TOO low), ensure you're starting a Fast day with a 16 hour Fast (including any hours from the night before). Include loads of nutrients in your diet on your 'up' day.

And do what you can to enjoy this WOE, my main 'getmethru' is reminding myself how good food tastes after a 'down' day.

Loads of good fortune to you mintyy ...and I hope I didn't sound patronising