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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 Six! Now's the time to de-lurk and chat with us..

984 replies

GreenEggsAndNichts · 25/10/2012 12:49

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 in August, 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 started is a good resource for some of the links and tips that get lost in these big threads. In addition to sharing links, we try 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 mentioned BMR and TDEE often. Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE) quantifies the number of calories you burn in a day. This measure is best estimated by scaling your Basal Metabolic Rate to your level of activity. TDEE is critical in tailoring your nutrition plan to desired fitness goals. Here is a link to a calculator to help you figure out how many calories you should be eating in a day.

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:
ThinkICan · 01/11/2012 12:16

And yes, I did monitor the gradual loss of 10 pounds on my scale, so the weight loss is not a mirage! Just that my BMI will shoot into the obese category again if I use the doc's numbers.

Jobyloo · 01/11/2012 13:30

Laska thanks for those top tips !!! On day 2 and so far feeling good! Going to have a bash at this either Mon/Tues & Thurs to begin with. Feels like I've entered a whole new world. Looking forward to getting to know you all Grin

mumofcrazynamedkids · 01/11/2012 14:12

hey thinkican great news, although boo hiss to dr's electronic scales, [hsad] and it sounds like more than .5 pound a week, more like .75, if you think you can continue this WOE forever, then it will all come off and imho it's quite good for it to be a slow transition, I had a bmi of 28.6 6 years ago, and it had been at that level for a long time, now it's 24.9, I've gone from high end of overweight to just inside normal, and know it will get down towards middle of normal on this WOE. It took my head quite a long time to catch up with my new body image....I first lost the weight 4 years ago doing Paul Mckenna, (although some had crept back on, hence this new WOE) and it has taken me a while to not think of myself as a 'bigger girl'

You may find like me on this WOE that the weight loss fluctuates a bit, in line sometimes with our general fluctuations in eating habits/exercise etc.

I would stick to your figures rather than doc's and just keep at it, sounds like you are doing great, I guess if you felt like it you could always add an additional bit of exercise once per week and see if that makes a difference? when I first lost my weight I used to wear a pedometer and just try and beat the previous days count each day, became competitive with myself and it was quite good fun and once I lost all of the weight I then found I had the energy and inclination to run, having never been a runner in my life (i'm still an asthmatic wheezy and very slow runner, but i'm sure it still does me good!)

mumofcrazynamedkids · 01/11/2012 14:14

welcome jobylou enjoy the club, I have no idea why I am feeling so buoyant today, but definitely having a day of feeling evangelical about this WOE!

Milimelo · 01/11/2012 15:28

Liberty132 - My doctor seems to think I have the IBS, but she didn't investigate (here in Quebec, the doctors don't investigate much for those kind of things, unless you have severe condition Hmm). I had been (very) frequently bloated for the last couple of months, but since last week - as I started the 5:2 plan - I feel more than better! I do not feel like a living balloon anymore! Is there something to do with it? I'd like to think so!

Laska : I don't know if it's the carb, or the dairy, or the fructose... There is so much things that seems could affect us with IBS!

Breadandwine: I agree with you. I feel like a finally have more control on my life. I'm feeling empowered instead of disappointed all the time!

Today is a fast day. Usually, I try to take my breakfast at 10, but this morning, I was so hungry! But, when I came to work, I met a lot of colleagues who had to talk to me, so I was able (because of the diversion) to eat it only at 9:30.

Have a nice day you all! Smile

Note: Sorry for my english...

Milimelo · 01/11/2012 15:30

Sorry... What WOE stands for? Is it an abbreviation? Blush

TalkinPeace2 · 01/11/2012 15:36

Way of Eating

(as in its a whole new way of eating rather than a short term diet)

Milimelo · 01/11/2012 15:44

Thank you TalkinPeace2!

ThinkICan · 01/11/2012 15:46

Thanks mocnk for your encouraging words! I'll keep going and hope to make it to the normal BMI in course of time!

ThinkICan · 01/11/2012 15:53

And yes, I think I should buy a pedometer and keep moving too!

applefalls · 01/11/2012 16:20

Ok, delurking. Have piled on absolute kilts of lard from all-time low two years ago after bi-polar diagnosis; meds apparently play merry hell with metabolism. Anyway, have come (safely!) off them but looking down the barrel of nothing to wear, everything feeling like a sausage skin and generally v cross that I was 7.13 at 5ft nowt two years ago and now daren't even get on the scales. Am running every day, but think that I eat FAR too much. I suppose I should weigh really, but I dread the horrible truth. Anyway, just wanted to say hello, this is my first post and feel pathetically new-girl-like!

mumofcrazynamedkids · 01/11/2012 16:35

hi applefalls I like your name, and feel for you, sounds like you are doing a great job just getting incontrol of your meds though? congrats for that, can't have been easy.

Up to you about the scales, you'll probably kick yourself later for not weighing in as it's alwasy good to know how much you've lost, but then again, I was 6 pounds heavier than I thought i was when i weighed in, which was pretty demoralising, as it felt like teh first 6 pounds loss was just to get to my proper starting point!

maybe you could measure yourself instead?

running is great too, good that you found us, when are you doing your first fast, or have you started already?

good luck, we're a friendly bunch, you'll soon be an old timer and be well on your way back to 7 13!

GreenEggsAndNichts · 01/11/2012 17:28

Welcome to the thread apple! I personally enjoy weighing in, but that's because it inspires me to do better, or keep at it, or whatever. Gives me a kick up the bum when I need it, etc. I'm terrible at telling when I've put on weight, or lost it, otherwise.

What I don't like is weighing myself on different scales. Someone upthread mentioned it, but I thought I'd say, it's not really an accurate representation of your weight when you do that. Weighing yourself on the same scales (in the same location, on carpet, or not carpet, whatever- consistency is the key bit) is what will tell you whether or not you're gaining or losing. The number might not be correct but the change in the number should be, if that makes sense.

A friend of mine was being weighed for a gastric bypass (which she ended up opting not to have). She was weighed in one office and told to lose x amount of weight, maybe 10lbs, which she did. She was then weighed in another office and it showed her either not having lost any weight, or having only lost a pound or two. She insisted on being weight in the old office again, and sure enough- 10lbs were off.

Anyhoo. Anecdotal story. :)

OP posts:
GreenEggsAndNichts · 01/11/2012 17:33

As for my own update, we've got my in-laws visiting. They arrived yesterday so I made sure yesterday was a fast day. It's possible I'll have three non-fast days in a row, which will be the first time since I started this WOE. Shock Since they're only here for three entire days, though, it would really be tough to do otherwise. Just means Sunday will be a fast day (they're leaving in the morning so I can easily avoid breakfast), which is fine. I just like my routines!

Oh oh and I've had my blood tests for my blood clot back, and it turns out I have some genetic abnormality which means my blood clots 2-3x faster than normal. I'm glad I've got a reason for it now, anyway, as I'm fairly active and it took ages to get them to diagnose me because of it.

Off to make dinner- chicken and chorizo paella. yum.

OP posts:
applefalls · 01/11/2012 17:40

Mumofcrazy and greeneggs, thanks so much for such a lovely and fast welcome and such sensible words. Will weigh, with trepidation, tomorrow. You are quite right about just knowing!

Today is the first fast day, have been reading with interest all the embrace hunger comments.

So pleased to have taken positive steps!!

mollysfolly · 01/11/2012 17:45

Think there is going to be an article about 5:2 in the Times magazine on Saturday. What else could:

"Eat Cake, Lose Weight. The revolutionary diet that everone is doing"

mean? Do you think we'll be famous? Smile

Milimelo · 01/11/2012 18:00

In fact, I just did a little research, and it seems it's a different kind of approach. I didn't finish to read the article yet, but I'm wondering if it could be a part of the WOE on non-fast days... Wink
I'm not a big fan of cake, although I enjoy having some once in a while, but it's interesting! Here's the link in the Telegraph:www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9069276/Chocolate-cake-breakfast-could-help-you-lose-weight.html

Trills · 01/11/2012 18:02

"Everyone's doing"? Well that's untrue no matter what diet they are talking about.

Milimelo · 01/11/2012 18:04

It also answers some questions about the calorie-counting approach versus the what-you're-eating is important... I also find it interesting since it's talking about breakfast...and gherkin.

Milimelo · 01/11/2012 18:06

Oups! Gherlin. But I think it's more for those who are doing a calorie-counting-all-the-time-diet...

Thelittlestranger · 01/11/2012 18:27

Evening all...2nd fast day of the week, and for the first time I have made it through the day with barely nothing to eat (2 cherry tomatoes!). This meant I had enough calories to have rice with my chilli non carne (first time I'd made it, yum, yum) and some left over for pudding later. I was so full, I couldn't finish it...

Look forward to some eating days now, although I may try and have a few 16 hour fasts over the weekend to bring myself back in after the last weekend.

Right, got to get the kids to bed..lwelcome to all the newbies! I'm also feeling evangelical about this way of eating!!

Laska42 · 01/11/2012 19:03

Smoked haddock and broccoli for my fast day dinner yum yum .. i'm still doing 2 meals but have pushed my 'breakfast eggs ' right back so I get my 16hrs in and then try and have a small 'eating window' so i can try and manage another 16hrs also. though today/tomorrow will probably be only 14 as I was late home so later dinner but we'll see how it goes in the morning.

Milimelo · 01/11/2012 19:22

Has anyone tried to do the lunch to lunch fast? Beginning after the lunch and then you can have a regular dinner the next day? As it work well for you?

Skinnyeye · 01/11/2012 19:50

Hi losers gainers and stay the samers. Wecome to our new losers!

Fast day 2 for this week and I struggled. Halloween hangover and 5 hours sleep didn't help. Made it through to dinner and had steamed veg and sticky rice. Going away for
the weekend not back until Monday Grin. Not sure if I will manage to keep mondays fast but will try.

frenchfancy · 01/11/2012 19:57

milimelo the trouble as I see it with a lunch to lunch fast is that your weekly calories aren't really going to be reduced very much. Big lunch, no diner, then next day big diner. I could easily have over 2000 cals on each day even if I didn't eat lunch til lunch.

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