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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! 7 is our lucky number...

991 replies

GreenEggsAndNichts · 19/11/2012 12:57

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 2012, 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.

I know a number of people lurk on this thread, as this is currently quite popular. Please just jump in and post if you're new- we won't bite. Well, maybe on a fast day. Wink

Here is a list of links to get you started with this way of eating. Please let us know if you find a new article or some other information online:

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

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.

Here is where I would link to the aforementioned Horizon programme, but it appears as if the BBC have finally noticed it on YouTube and have taken it down. If you have another link for this episode, please PM me with it, or post it to the thread and we'll put it up for the next thread.

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 all the links re-copied and back into one post.

Come join us, and tell us about your experiences with this diet!

OP posts:
FlipFlippingFlippers · 28/11/2012 11:25

Thanks pip! I've cleaned the kitchen and had 2 cups of tea and it seems to have passed. Prob didn't help that I pigged out last night. Chocolate cake was involved and that's all I'm saying! Grin

GreenEggsAndNichts · 28/11/2012 11:41

Yep, lots of hot drinks and keeping busy. :) Good time for year for keeping busy, I think. I might actually... put up Christmas decorations this weekend. Shock

Tis a fast day today. I'm going to go to town after dropping my son at pre-school. I'm actually going to get crafty for his Advent calendar. (I'm not really crafty, but some clever person on the internet has posted a very do-able calendar and I'm going to give it a go!) That'll be my afternoon sorted, anyway!

OP posts:
GreenEggsAndNichts · 28/11/2012 11:42

I'm adding extra !!'s to my posts after B&W's annoyingly cheerful comment! Wink

OP posts:
TalkinPeace2 · 28/11/2012 12:01

My ideal advent calendar sweetlifealacarte.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/table-numbers-advent.jpg

GreenEggsAndNichts · 28/11/2012 12:58

lol yes Grin Reminds me of the German beer calendar picture I saw last year, this isn't it but it's the general idea here. If we had the space I'd set one up for DH but I think that project is best left for the new house, next year.

OP posts:
FlipFlippingFlippers · 28/11/2012 14:23

Thanks!

Well I've managed so far. Just got a v small chicken breast and a low cal cup of soup planned for in about an hour before I start work. Then got a tuna pasta thing and a satsuma for my break later about 9ish. Loads of water and tea and I'm fine.

Still can't believe this will work...

I didn't plan on weighing myself when I first started nearly a week ago but wondering now if I should.

TellMeLater · 28/11/2012 15:00

Fast day - going for one meal of 500kcal today again, this will give me nearly 22hrs fasting, second time I've decided not to split the calories, this works better for me, although I need to sweeten my coffee with stevia to compensate for the lack of milk...I intend to gradually wean myself off the sweetener.

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 28/11/2012 15:14

Hi everyone - struggling to keep up wiht you all but I know that's the best way to stay on track.

TalkIn that is the best advent calendar I've ever ever seen....we've been lucky this year, both DC have been inundated by advent calendars from various childfree friends, they have chocolate, german pictures and lego ones...spoilt I tell you!

Good luck with the crafting GreenEggs, you're a braver woman than me!

First fast day in a while on Monday went well, super easy, thankgod - yesterday I PIGGED out though and as a consequence have woken starving hungry (chocolate cake was my fall down too)...going to fast today despite going out on the town tonight but might make the most of it and just drive everyone else, then I can't fall off the wagon

myjoy · 28/11/2012 16:43

I agree literarygeek, the best thing for a breastfeeding mum considering IF to do is give fasting a try and see how it goes.

I have felt really healthy since starting 4 or so weeks ago and have lost 5 pounds. It's not a lot of weight, but looking at the long view I'm pleased. I have fallen off the wagon many times (Thanksgiving wasn't easy for me either, GreenEggs, but I've been telling myself that you cannot wipe away a lifetime of problematic eating in a few weeks. I'm learning how to be OK with being hungry, to focus on getting plenty of high-quality nutrients, and to make good food choices.

My downfall has always been eating when I'm stressed out and there is a lot about right now (planning a big move) so if I can keep going with that and everything else going on this time of year, then I'll be happy.

I also agree to drink a lot of water, take a multivitamin to cover your bases, and try to get as much rest as you can (sometimes a pipe dream, I know, but very important).

So grateful to everyone on this thread for the support and ideas. You are all brilliant! I wish I had more time to post but I send many thank yous even when I don't write them.

Laska42 · 28/11/2012 19:56

Hi all well I had today what we old WW lags call a NSV ( non scale victory) .. ince starting this WOE I've been seconded away from my job to another elsewhere and although i go back regularly to my old office i think today was the first time for a while i've been there long enough to have taken my jacket off..

General chorus of 'gosh haven't you lost a lot of weight!.and WOW you look fab!. It felt really good | can tell you..Grin

Up-thread someone says its best to have your 500 cals in one meal .. and lots of people say it helps them to do that ,. but i've lost my 19lbs since end of August by having two meals every fast day except the one day ( and that one I didn't like the really full feeling I got doing that way) .

I've always made sure I get my 16 hrs total fast in , , but have had breakfast Always the same - 2 eggs 1 slice of thin ham a couple of mushrooms and a tomato in an omelet, then either tiny bit of fish or meat and lots of veggies for dinner no later than 5.30 (if I can).

Its worked for me.. so i'm just reiterating here that theres no one way. to do this WOE, and freedom to experiment. but as long as you stick to 500 and dont pig out on eating days its simple..

Fasting tomorrow again .. if i can I like to have a light meal the last one before fasting , and to this end ive just had a place of broccoli stir fried with Thais spicy paste.. (though I do have a Wine here )

TalkinPeace2 · 28/11/2012 20:06

WELL DONE Laska
did you get the "where is the rest of you?" line - that's my fave
and the surprised compliments are the most genuine.

Laska42 · 28/11/2012 20:19

thanks TIP2 .its great isnt it , i've followed your succcess too, and though i dont think ill get anywhere your weight (i look a bit scrawny at under 9.7)

I invited them to my 55th birthday drink and a couple of colleagues who knew me on my 50th said that I looked so much younger now!!

Another NSV over last weekend (oh im boasting now. but indulge me,) .I got back into my 40th birthday frock.. DH was well impressed.

It was in my 40s and early 50s that I put all the weight on but im darned if im going into my mid 50s and onward big ..

. ..

Laska42 · 28/11/2012 20:21

oh and even better it was mainly BLOKES that noticed and made (nice) comments today ..

TalkinPeace2 · 28/11/2012 20:24

ENJOY that Wine

Laska42 · 28/11/2012 20:34

ooh TIP have you looked at the top party dresses thread ?.. I posted yesterday , (and also ended up buying one I saw there) There are some fab ones there .. i'noticedm sure you deserve one too

TalkinPeace2 · 28/11/2012 20:38

:-)
I hate shopping - my ideal dress is the one I wore on my 18th birthday - that now fits - and my fave boots are 23 years old
but I'll have a goggle ....

Sputnik · 28/11/2012 21:26

That's fantastic Laska :)

pookey · 28/11/2012 23:14

still fasting! Did 5:2 last week hoping for 4:3 this week.

Go Laska!

Wow TIP they don't make clothes like they used to - my fav jeans need replacing every few weeks as my thunder thighs wear them away! I am a size 16 now was an 8 - not planning to get that thin though.

As others have said thanks to you all for your interesting posts - they are def a strong factor in me continuing. Possibly we would have a lower drop out rate than the studies mentioned in some of the articles linked to because of the support of this forum?

Ancient history now but for those of you like Greeneggs who think they don't look thinner , are you excercising? I can't face it at the moment but last time I lost weight after middle child I really think excercise made the visible results much quicker.

FlipFlippingFlippers · 28/11/2012 23:33

Well done Laska!

I love everyone's success stories it really makes it easier. Struggled a bit today but got through in the end. The thought of a sausage sarnie in the morning has really helped!

frenchfancy · 29/11/2012 06:26

WI this morning, very happy as I've got down to my intermediate target of 73kg. I managed it once before about 5 years ago when I was bridesmaid for my sister, but I put it straight back on after. Not this time though :)

Going away today for a long weekend with my girlfriends, leaving DH alone with the 3 DCs. Grin I'm sure there will be plenty Wine involved (for me that is not him!)

TellMeLater · 29/11/2012 06:39

Could it really be so? I am down 1kg - could it really be weight loss at last? I wasn't expecting it - a potential injury last week prevented me from running, I had my TOM and I fell face first into a pile of carbs on Saturday - I'm taking pizza, cake, sweets and chocolate - when I fall I do it with gusto! Anyhow the other difference was the move to one large meal a day. What has caused the move, who knows in 3-4 months the scales have remained fairly constant never going below 61kg, this morning they said 60.3kg - I checked a few times too, I dont need to lose weight but it's money in the bank for the upcoming Christmas Consumption.

This year I have gone from size 14 to size 8/10 and maintained that size for 9 months, so I think I deserve the last week of the year off before we enter the desert that is January, which in this household is traditionally alcohol and this year sugar free. Planned cheats are a lovely thing to look forward to, normally I'd be restricting the treats coming into the house, telling dh not to buy me chocs, not this year.

TellMeLater · 29/11/2012 06:47

Well done french that's brilliant - have a great weekend!

babbas · 29/11/2012 08:58

Tml - the same thing happened to me! Was ill so didn't exercise, felt miserable, ate rubbish for a day and woke up the next day weighing much less. Congrats. And good luck to everyone else today.

TheCyclistist · 29/11/2012 09:37

Well done Laska there's no bigger lift than the look on peoples faces when they notice the loss, and there's no better praise than being told you look younger than you did 5 years ago (I'm 46 tomorrow but I think hell will freeze over before people tell me I look in my late 30s again Grin ). Well done TML and everyone else on the recent losses.

A massive thanks to Greeneggs for running this Thread since back in August. Without the support of this thread I'm sure there's loads of us that wouldn't be where we are now. Even those that haven't lost much yet have the support from here to fall back on.

Looking forward with a huge amount of enthuseasm to enjoying a very 'Merry Christmas' this year, being about 70 lb lighter than this time last year and confident that even if I park this way of eating over the Christmas period, I can take it back up again come January with no damage done Smile

Have a great day all, if you're fasting like me -remember there's always tomorrow AND for anyone that hasn't felt the benefits yet...they will come Smile

Madhouse2012 · 29/11/2012 09:44

Quick update, weighed this morning another 2lbs off taking me to under 9stones, I feel great Smile, on the radio today they were talking about anorexia, a doctor said the brain needs 500 calories a day to function normally, interesting I thought. Obviously matches the research we have read about. Well done everyone, good results happening and lots of happy peeps.