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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:
mommybunny · 18/10/2012 15:48

Totally agree with greeneggs and catsrus on how to handle the holidays - my parents are coming to the UK (from the US) for Christmas and I can't wait to make a "proper" Christmas dinner and enjoy every bite (and sip!). My mom is really curious about this WoE and if she can see how it's working for me by then she may be inspired to give it a go herself.

[Envying greeneggs her Thanksgiving dinner...I haven't had a proper one in years. Although my firm does put on a Thanksgiving dinner for its US staff, and families are invited, the commute for 2 school-age DCs is just too long and too late. And DH has no interest in it either. Maybe I'll take the day off and make a nice meal anyway.]

2beornot · 18/10/2012 15:49

Nearly four o clock in a fast day and not a thing had passed my lips! (well except tea and water). I've broken the back of the day now so expect to make it through to tea time!!

I'm loving it so far, but the number of people plateauing and getting disheartened is worrying. I've got a lot to lose and was hoping to get rid of 7-14lb before Christmas.

Talking of Christmas..... I actually think it'll be fine. Christmas Eve will be a fast day and I reckon I'll be ready for another one by the 27/28. New year a bit more difficult but will prob do sun 30th and wed 2nd.

Btw, what's my BMR? How should I calculate it?

Thelittlestranger · 18/10/2012 15:50

Hooray! Another 1lb down...that is only 2lbs in the last 3 weeks, but the trend is downwards. Altogether that is now 11lbs in 8 weeks, and I've enjoyed myself whilst doing it.

Happy to keep in with this WOE and if I continue to lose 1lb per week, by Christmas I will be another 9lbs down and nearly at my lightest comfortable weight.

mommybunny · 18/10/2012 15:57

2bornot, there is a link in the OP about what BMR is and how to calculate yours.

frenchfancy · 18/10/2012 16:00

2beornot - BMR is your basal metabolic rate, the calories you would consume if you were in a coma. More important is your TDEE (total daily energy expenditure). Use this calculator to find yours www.fitnessfrog.com/calculators/tdee-calculator.html

frenchfancy · 18/10/2012 16:01

By the way I don't think that link is on the links page, I had to scroll down the whole thread to find it, so I'll put it on there now so we don't lose it.

TheCyclistist · 18/10/2012 16:05

Skippy great link thanks.

Looking more and more like the longer you can go abstaining from calories the better, I know I've been drifting towards that - can't seem to get past 16 hours at the moment and a couple of teas with milk within that as well. But I know that I'm feeling amazing all some of the time now, so that'll do for me.

Fasting today and after a couple of difficult ones today's has gone reasonably well. There seem to be a couple of of camps, one favouring a stricter restriction on 'up' days and one saying 'eat what you want. I've tended towards 'eat what I want and how much I want'. However after a few difficult 'down' days I tried limiting sweet stuff yesterday (but not calories) and found it easier today....

Good luck to all following this WOE and after Greenegg's reminder may I be the first to wish you all a happy Christmas and an amazing healthy and prosperous new year Grin

2beornot · 18/10/2012 16:08

Ignore that last bit - have just seen the link to it!

2beornot · 18/10/2012 16:18

X-posting with lots of people!!

So BMR = 1727.3, which using the calc on prev page should give 2220 in non-fast days. That's massive, surely it can't be right. Or is that if I were aiming to maintain my weight?

On my fitness pal to lose the weight I want I need to have 1340 per day. So for the same weekly Cals I need to eat 1676 on non fast days. I think I'll aim for that.

If you've read this far, thanks for reading my thinking out loud!!

hoops997 · 18/10/2012 16:18

2be I'm with you, the last time I ate was 1830 last night. I'm on a fast day today so really looking forward to soup, vegetables and ryvita at 1700.

I find the 16 hour thing very easy, as I don't eat breakfast at all

TellMeLater · 18/10/2012 16:35

Fasting before Christmas used to be a very common part of the tradition.

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 18/10/2012 16:44

We're having our first thanksgiving since moving to LA this year - friend holds a big waifs and strays dinner for everyone in town who doesn't go home, can't wait!! And it's DD's birthday on the Sunday so best plan in a fast day in between

AGeeksWife · 18/10/2012 17:03

My step dad has just brought me 12 Creme eggs from a trip to the Cadbury shop, on a fast day!

In a weird way my hunger is helping me resist as I don't want to give up today and go through it again tomorrow to make up for today!

GreenEggsAndNichts · 18/10/2012 17:13

I did a Thanksgiving dinner and invited some neighbours last year, they were keen to try all the foods they'd heard about on TV and in films. Grin This year it might be with some different friends who are keen on cooking, think we'll do some kind of potluck. It might actually be like a proper Thanksgiving. I'm really looking forward to it. (Held on the Saturday, I imagine- for some reason it's not a holiday here in the UK! :) ) Hope you enjoy yours Girl. Mommy I think I'm lucky, German DH is really keen on the holiday. Tis all that pie, I think.

To make a more on-topic post: I can totally see having a fast day the day before the holiday.

OP posts:
TalkinPeace2 · 18/10/2012 20:06

Tellmelater
Indeed, Advent was a time of fasting and preparation.
remember that Christmas was put on top of the Winter Solstice, shortest day of the year, and the principle of feasting THEN was because food had been in such short supply but the days were getting longer.
Lent derives from the timing of dairy food running out before the spring laying / calving season.

Fasting over Christmas : good in principle but as I'll be in New York, may turn into an utter fail!
Will just have to be good in term times!

Sputnik · 18/10/2012 22:17

Don't know if I'll manage fasting at xmas either, as I'll be with my folks for 8 days. Maybe skip the odd breakfast then get back into it when I come home.

TheCyclistist · 18/10/2012 23:10

Hi all

Stumbled across this 'study' of/on IF looked quite interesting legit but can't comment on the validity of the source. Will also post on Breadandwines link page.

www.precisionnutrition.com/intermittent-fasting?gclid=CJyXkvDGi7MCFSTLtAodKiQAeQ

Happy fasting all, I'm done now till my usual Sunday fast...roll on breakfast

Breadandwine · 19/10/2012 01:38

Excellent link, Cyclistist, thanks.

Just posted a useful blog on the recipe thread here by someone who's doing the 5:2 WOE and blogging about it - plus she's posting her low-cal recipes, which look pretty good.

frenchfancy · 19/10/2012 06:34

That is an interesting blog Breadandwine. On it I found this link to an ideal weight calculator Interesting link as it takes into account frame size and tells you how to work out your frame size using your wrist. It confirms that I had another 2.5kg to lose before getting into the ideal range, and DH hit his ideal this morning.

Piebaldrider · 19/10/2012 07:11

I'm not sure what week i am on i shall have to back track my posts but i think it must be 5 or 6 now. I'm fasting today buy yesterday i didn't have time to eat one proper meal so the whole day was just grabbing something here and there which i would rather not do. Now i don't get hungry so quickly or at all on feed days its easy to forget to eat altogether. Getting dressed this morning i can see that after my initial fast fat loss things have slowed right down and i have no idea if i am losing anything or not at the minute which means im going to have to be stronger and stay focused. Its easy to fall off the wagon if you don't keep your eyes on the road ahead! I'm very happy with what i have lost and this woe fits into my life without too much effort. I would still like to know if i have succeeded in switching of the IGf and am reaping the health benefits that brings . What a motivation that would be if i could do a little home test every now and then and just see that its working.

Have a great day all of you and i hope you are all feeling healthier each day because i do .

Health happiness and weight loss to all

cathyandclaire · 19/10/2012 07:56

Hello all! [waves nervously]
Can i join you? I've lost around a stone on Biwi's brilliant low-carb bootcamp. I'm now introducing more healthy carbs and am looking for a way to stay around my current weight (or a few pounds less Wink) for the rest of my life.

I've watched the programme and read the thread (well most of it!!!) and I think I can do it and am fascinated by the health advantages.

So here I am...day 1 fast. Coffee with a splash of lacto-free milk and going to wait as long as I can before eating.

Trills · 19/10/2012 08:39

I like the frame size calculator.

My range of "ideal weight" tops out at the point I was just before starting this fasting thing, and goes down to 5lbs below where I am aiming.

2lbs below the bottom of that range is the weight I was when I went to visit my family and my dad thought I had been ill. Considering that he normally calls me "thunder thighs", that's clearly thinner than I want to be.

loulou969 · 19/10/2012 09:05

Hi Trills I did my calculation and the maximum for me is 10 stone. Anything below that and I look ill too!

welshmill · 19/10/2012 09:41

Just done the calculation and the top end is only 7 st 8lb Shock. That's how much I weighed when we got married 22 years ago. At the moment I'm 9st 7lb having lost 23lb since June (12 of this on this WOE). 2 more stone is a daunting thought but tbh at the moment I'd be happy to lose just another stone.

Mintyy · 19/10/2012 10:04

My ideal range is 8 stone 12 to 9 stone 13. I'd love to be about 9 and a half , anything less than that and I'm sure I will start to look craggy.

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