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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:
Mintyy · 19/10/2012 15:54

Is there any need for this?

You are all talking at crossed purposes.

Diets was rude and used the term anorexic far too casually but she apologised and you accepted her apology Mike.

6 stone 6lb is a remarkably low weight for a fully grown adult (but presumably not for someone well under 5ft tall and small framed) and diets was remarking on this (albeit in a thoughtless way) ... but then you confused matters, diets by saying 6 stone 6lb is 57 kg.

Greeneggs thought you were saying 57kg is a very low weight when, at roughly 9 stone, it obviously isn't!

Perhaps we could give each other a little slack? I don't want to be sharing threads with people who can fly off the handle so quickly.

MikeOxardForHalloween · 19/10/2012 16:02

Diets was being rude, then apologised, then was a dick again. I'm allowed to be offended by the second bout of twatery even if I have accepted an apology for previous one aren't I? Thank you for the support btw greeneggs.

Look at the picture. It is slim, and might not be everyone's cup of tea to be that size, that's fine, but is it so grotesquely thin that you would think I had a very serious medical problem? I don't think so. And in any case, even if you did think so, would you be rude enough to say so?

cathyandclaire · 19/10/2012 16:05

....anyhoooo (sneakily changing subject)

Managed to last til 3.30 with just coffee and tea. Didn't really feel hungry, just a bit weak and feeble. Then had delicious leek frittata slice (I'm still in low-carb mode) which comes in at 280cals. So a bit left, after milk allowance for a little yoghurt and berries later

or a g+t if thinks get desperate

Mintyy · 19/10/2012 16:05

Your picture isn't viewable but I'm not really interested, tbh.

MikeOxardForHalloween · 19/10/2012 16:11

Well, just in case you are as uninterested later as you were when you tried to look before, I think it should be viewable now.

frenchfancy · 19/10/2012 16:15

I can't click on your name mike, I'd love to see you in full wedding finery.

I have a friend who is 57Kg. She is slimish and a small build but certainly not ill looking. She was Shock when I said I was 75kg (and at the time I was more like 80kg but kidding myself)

frenchfancy · 19/10/2012 16:17

Oooh I've got your photos now, but unless you had a beach wedding I don't think it is the right photo :) You look good though.

MikeOxardForHalloween · 19/10/2012 16:44

Thank you! That's the honeymoon. x

Thelittlestranger · 19/10/2012 17:03

I think it was a tongue in cheek comment, not well thought out, but with no harm intended...shall we all move on?!

I'm gratified to see that something finally has agreed that I have a large frame! 8stone 6 - 9stone 7 is my range. I am aiming for 10stone 7...and then will see how I get on.

When somebody invents a frame calculator that takes big boobs in to account I shall be one happy lady. I'm sure they weigh a stone on their own...

Thelittlestranger · 19/10/2012 17:04

Ah, you had all moved on it took me so damn long to type my post...!!

GreenEggsAndNichts · 19/10/2012 17:04

It's one of the problems with discussing our different weights. More petite friends would be Shock at my numbers. I've lost 15+lbs now, but I rarely put it in figures for people when they comment on the loss. My thinnest, perfect weight probably sounds fat to a number of people.

Mintyy yes, I got the impression from her follow-up comment that the problem was with the stones/kilo post. I took it to mean she was saying that x in stone was y in kilo, and thus too thin, so I did a quick conversion from kilos because I know kilos, and know nothing about stone. :) And came to the conclusion I did.

I suppose my point is, though, I do think it's rude to make such proclamations about someone's weight, if you think it's too skinny or too big, obviously we're all entitled to opinions but I'd be pretty irritated if someone came in and said something like that to me. (FWIW Mike you look lovely and healthy in the pic!)

Anyway, I'm sorry about the derailment. Cathy thanks for bringing us back on track. Wink I find it easiest if I push off eating on fast days until as late as possible, too.

Tis a non-fast day here, and I've no idea what we're having for dinner. Tastebuds still absent, damn this neverending cold.

OP posts:
hoops997 · 19/10/2012 17:08

The frame calculator put me as medium frame and I need to get between 54-60 kgs. I'm 70kgs now so reachable but I haven't been 60kgs since I was 18!

I know I can get there with this WOE Grin

mike you look fab in the pic

Sputnik · 19/10/2012 17:11

I was 57 kg when I got PG with my first.
It's been an uphill slide since then :o

TalkinPeace2 · 19/10/2012 17:49

CathyandClaire - love your name. I used to love reading that column!!

Weighed in this morning. 9 stone 2 (128 pounds ; 58kg) - so that's 12 pounds lost since the start of term. BMI 21.28. Target is 9 stone exactly by half term and then I'll take a view on how I feel.

The WRIST SIZE thing has been around for years as an adjuster for BMI.
Give me half an hour and I'll find the links that show WHERE to measure and what different numbers of centimetres mean relative to height (as there is a solid ratio between hand span and height)

TalkinPeace2 · 19/10/2012 18:33

Found it :
this page www.anycalculator.com/nutritional.htm
takes account of height and sex to set the 10% up or down adjustment on BMI range ...

welshmill · 19/10/2012 18:49

mmm jnteresting. According to that calculator, although I'm only 4ft 11in I have a large frame. Who'd have thought it Confused

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 19/10/2012 19:20

I don't get the wrist size thing, if I go with medium build the range def makes me too fat, if I go with slight most of the range of be too skinny Hmm

I think the trouble with all those calculators is they're too simplified

I am eating too bloody much on feed days, going to attempt ADF next week to make up for it

TalkinPeace2 · 19/10/2012 19:47

mousey
as per my link.
How tall are you and what is your wrist circumference
its only a 10% change

An old school friend of mine is a celeb wife who has always been large - since we were 12. She did lighter life and got very light - but looked scrawny not slim.
Not seen pictures of her lately but I assume she's put some back on (I hope so) as she does not look good huge but looked worse skinny.
Her ideal BMI has to be around 25

Mine, as a much lighter build, is around 20 - 21
Petite friends at the gym look fab at 18
Others look stunning at 24

PS - are you logging calories even on food days - for the protein / carb / fat balance if nothing else?

ManOnBoard · 19/10/2012 20:22

Crikey - a lot of fireworks on here this afternoon and I thought fat people were supposed to be jolly!

Tried this body calc thing and although my fingers overlap if I measure my wrists I come out as small and medium/large, never take too much notice of these generalisations.

TalkinPeace2 · 19/10/2012 20:29

Manonboard
the wrist thing is actually a really important factor in BMI - its why George Clooney and Brad Pitt, despite have superficial BMI of 26 / 27 are in fact well within healthy delicious range

the variation in skeletal sizes is MUCH less than many very overweight people would have you believe
but MUCH MORE than many of the fitness freaks (who never really interact with heavy frame people) do too

sweetkitty · 19/10/2012 20:32

I have the skinniest wrists ever like a childs. According to the wrist calculator I should be between 108-125lbs I'm currently about 124 and a size 8-10. My body is gone apart from my hips/thighs and bum, they are do out of proportion to the rest of me.

I'm starting to try the 5:2 thing in that I'm doing the 16 hour fasting but an probably eating more like 700-800cals on fast days but trying to stick to 1200 cals on other days. According to MFP my BMR is only about 1400 cals.

Am wanting to be about 120lbs.

Mintyy · 19/10/2012 20:40

sweetkitty

if you do this "I'm starting to try the 5:2 thing in that I'm doing the 16 hour fasting but an probably eating more like 700-800cals on fast days but trying to stick to 1200 cals on other days" then you are not doing the 5:2 thing.

SarahWithAFringeOnTop · 19/10/2012 20:49

Is it just me or is anyone else really tired by mid-afternoon on a fast day? I can deal with being a bit hungry, but I am generally on the verge of falling asleep by about 3pm (which is not a convenient time to eat something). Does anyone else find this? I don't really want to start having "lunch" on fast days, on the occasions when I've tried that I've been starving later and not noticeably less tired anyway Confused

rachelblythe · 19/10/2012 21:45

Greeneggs, you look great on your honeymoon picture :)

TP2, thanks for that link. It makes me about 8oz above my ideal weight, and I've got to say - i look so great at the minute! (12-13lb down thanks to this woe) not planning on losing any more weight.

I have unfortunately been a sufferer of an eating disorder previously and have weighed a stone less than I do now. Been healthy minded for a few years now though, and you become much stronger when you bring a child into the world, so I'm confident that I'll never go back there. This woe is so great, gives me the confidence to be able to eat nice things and treats without any associated guilt.I've said before, but it is so liberating.

Been on a fast day today and that's me done for the week. Made some concoction that ended up like a curried cauliflower dish. It was quite nice and for the first time been quite well within my calories. Looking forward to an Indian meal out with friends on Sunday, plus some sweets or popcorn or both from the cinema.

GreenEggsAndNichts · 20/10/2012 00:34

rachel that's MikeOxhard's honeymoon picture. I wish I looked that good. :)

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