Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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:
kiwigirl42 · 15/10/2012 02:27

BIGWOMBAT good luck with your procedure

30 day fast? Bloody hell. I ll keep thinking about that on my 1 day fast tomorrow, esp. If i think its too hard lol.

I haven't done many fast days really but are surprised how much less i think of food on the following normal day.

AGeeksWife · 15/10/2012 06:07

Talkin a bit late but I'd be interested to see where you've looked up Jillian to come to the 'nutter' conclusion, genuine question (as it could be read as sounding a bit snarky but it isn't!)

Aftereightsaremine · 15/10/2012 06:25

Chuffed to bits just had official weigh in & I'm down another 4lbs, especially brill as I was out for posh dinner on Saturday & out for lunch yesterday. However didn't lose anything last week so am guessing that's average of 2lb a week making my total loss 1&half stone! Thrilled to bits.

TellMeLater · 15/10/2012 06:37

geekswife Jillian comes across as slightly unhinged in some of the clips on utube from Biggest loser, but I think Jillian's videos are brilliant for improving fitness - much cheaper than a gym subscription too! As long as she gets you moving who cares?

TellMeLater · 15/10/2012 06:38

Well done aftereight that an outstanding result!

Aftereightsaremine · 15/10/2012 06:44

Thanks tellme I can see I might get under 13 stone for first time in years if I carry on. Good incentive.

CrackerJackShack · 15/10/2012 07:06

Fast day yesterday. Went fine. Does anyone else find they have way more energy before they go to sleep? I have the hardest time trying to fall to sleep on fast days.

Piebaldrider · 15/10/2012 07:06

I'm having a struggle this morning , i normally do my low cal days on Mon , Weds and Fri. I want to mix it up and i don't want my body to think that 4.3 is a woe for ever and lower my requirements . However the thought of breaking the cycle is hard and after a very busy weekend i have woken up hungry which is unusual for me. I look in the mirror this morning and i see an hour glass returned and the fat still seems determined to come off from the same places around my rib cage ,trunk and my bottom .I have a little roll across my lower abs that could so with disappearing but it goes back 30 years to my first pregnancy so isn't all fat i suppose as my muscles were irreversibly damaged with the amount of weight i put on with pre eclampsia.

I still have a long way to go but i can so see the difference and yesterday while competing my show jacket hung on me where as last time i competed around a month ago i was embarrassed because it barely covered me and when on my horse it gaped at the bottom and all my blubber must have been visible.

So with everything going so well its hard to make a change in case it goes wrong .... i think i will have my coffee go to work and see how it goes.

Sometimes it helps just to put it all out there..

Health happpiness and weight loss to all.

2beornot · 15/10/2012 07:20

Morning all.

First fast day for me today. I'm not expecting it to be that hard really. Maybe I'm in for a shock! I tend to be busy at work and don't really think about food and hot tea keeps me filled up anyway. I often don't have dinner either til three or not at all!!

I'll Report back later on how it was!

ShortLass · 15/10/2012 08:40

For those experiencing cramps, you might want to think about electrolyte hydration tablets. Sports people use them to replace essential salts lost when sweating. If you've been doing some fast days, maybe you're not getting some of these nutrients.

Pop a tablet in some water and drink - giving you sodium, magnesium, potassium. No sugars like in a sports drink. Less than 8 calories per tablet.

A popular brand is Nunn. eg, at Amazon: Nunn at Amazon

You could also try health food shops, sports shops as well as online

MikeOxardForHalloween · 15/10/2012 08:53

Piebald it's going well for you, I'd keep doing what you're doing. :-)
Aftereight Fab, well done!

Well after my whining last night, it looks my body isn't as predictable as I thought. Weigh in today and this week I have lost 4lbs! Although I'm weighing in the day after a fast day for the first time, so that's a little cheat. Very happy!

Sputnik · 15/10/2012 09:02

Thanks for that link breadandwine. Now I'm curious about rebounding...

Sputnik · 15/10/2012 09:21

So rebounding is just bouncing up and down on a mini trampoline. Looks like fun actually!
www.weightlossresources.co.uk/exercise/reviews/rebounding.htm
NASA rates it.

Sputnik · 15/10/2012 09:24

Not bigger, bugger, you stupid auto correct.

MikeOxardForHalloween · 15/10/2012 09:29

That's actually a great idea. I would buy one if I thought I'd be able to get my nearly 3 year old off it long enough to have a go myself!

Thelittlestranger · 15/10/2012 09:44

Ok, fast day today...thank goodness. Annoyed with myself for my hangover yesterday. Although i can't weigh myself as the scales are in the car. Today i miss them, but shall weigh at the gym this evening.

Last Monday I said I wouldn't drink on the weekend, and then I did...I think I may have learnt my lesson though, and this weekend will be a different story otherwise I'm going to continue to maintain, rather than lose.

I've got prawn cocktail salad planned for dinner and enough calories to either have carrot soup for lunch, or save it for some Greek yoghurt for pudding.

Aftereights, well done!

Piebald, if it ain't broke don't fix it...if you start to stall that might be the time to consider mixing it up?!

Sputnik · 15/10/2012 09:54

My son would be thrilled if we got a mini trampoline, we were in Decathlon the other day and I head to tear him away from them. Now I know what they're for.

Laska42 · 15/10/2012 10:08

Hi all, well just broke my fast with a cheese and mushroom omlette ! God, I LOVE this WOE.. Smile..

I have dozens of very good exercise DVDs .. many still in their wrapping.. they look beautiful all there on the shelf.. GrinGrin

Re cramps .. i've been taking the magnesium .. .. cramps definitely better .. but it could be placebo effect .. if so ill take that.

how was the curry cyclistist? Please don't think i'm 'stalking' , but I was actually thinking of you eating it last night (on my fast day!! ) .. Think ill be making one later as DH still here this evening ..

I'm working at home today and its a lovely one here on IOW.. so aiming to finish up early this pm and get out on the bike ..

Laska42 · 15/10/2012 10:13

I love my rebounder. when its icy outside I do my couch to 5k on it (having said that ive never got beyond week 3 as did n my back in ) and I also do a zumba type exercise routine on it that i make up myself as I go along using you tube zumba videos ) ..

But rebounding is great on joints and .. I have a Trimilin, which is a bit bigger and more stable than the usual.. would recommend if you get one to get a good one and slightly larger one than the reebok type .. Luckily I got mine second hand so only paid £15 for it!

Laska42 · 15/10/2012 10:23

aftereights that's fabulous well done you .. you'll have to change your name soon
shortlass thanks for the link will look into that more

mikeO no as after fast is definitely when I weigh..after all its your 'real, empty body' weight , right?! I looked at the weekend and got a bit despondent as was 1.5 up , but back to 10.8 this morning after the fast yesterday .. Happy bunny again ! What's more to say? (apart from just how vain am I? Grin)
Right! work! or I wont be able to get out on the bike later...

LookBehindYou · 15/10/2012 10:27

Fast day today. I have not lost any weight for the last week but I tried on my VW dress and I can get it past my knees which is HUGE progress! I am aiming to wear it at Christmas and I really think this will happen.

ThatBintAgain · 15/10/2012 10:41

Morning everyone.

My body is ridiculous. I fasted Friday and yesterday and haven't lost a milligram. I think I've lost 3-4 pounds in 4 weeks. Which is a bit meh. I can only hope that hopefully some of the other benefits are kicking in. Sad

ThatBintAgain · 15/10/2012 10:43

Oh, and I have a BMI of 27 so it's not like I'm a skinny minny.

LookBehindYou · 15/10/2012 10:47

ThatBint - a four pound loss in four weeks is not to be sniffed at! That might be the measurable result that you can see but all kinds of things will be changing internally.