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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:
frenchfancy · 11/12/2012 17:52

Should be public now.

Grin at the strategy meetings - how did you know??

Laska42 · 11/12/2012 18:17

What a good looking bunch we all are! (well most of us anyway , no claims in my direction lol)

GWTMH you look so laid back and cool leaning against that car.. and eating out in Hollywood this evening . Are you a film star or married to one ?

And GO bro look at you!! !! that is truly a fantastic weight loss since last summer (btw i think if your going via Portsmouth to Bristol you'll be going slightly wrong, but if you are , ill pop over and wave a flag as you speed by) Grin

Ok I reckon TIP2 is either married to the Green Cross Code man or Brian Cox

(my old man is a plain old glass factory manager .. Can I do anyone a deal on a some dodgy double glazing? WinkGrin)

Well .as I'm going for a meal out the next two days and again on Saturday , i decided to have an 'unofficial in between' day today after the last two days fasts , so am on about 750 cals so far.. But I'm so cold today .. and I'm feeling so much more hungry than I would normally (but then it is really my 3rd restricted day) Anyone else want to eat more today.. the temp gauge on the car was -4 this morning and still -2 driving home just now.. so I don't think ill be going out running again this evening, though might get the rebounder out and a have a jump around as legs feel slightly sore .. .

Pub lunch with parents tomorrow to 'celebrate being well and truly middle aged ( but hey not so 'past it' as i once feared Grin) , not planning on breakfast ..

Slight annoyance ( though in a good way) my padded down coat, bought last January is far too big for me and doesn't now feel that warm as it lets all the cold air up under it.. (Oo er missus!Xmas Shock)

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 11/12/2012 18:26

oh god no, not a movie star OR married to one, no way in hell. I adore actors but very very glad I've ended up with a boring software developer (although very weird, he's a celebrity in his field because of who he works for and because he plays in the communities - I've been at events where people have asked for his autograph geeks)...I'm a theatre director with a penchant for bloody good food, amazing wine and gay friends who regularly take me out to the nicest spots in LA

oh Laska how annoying for you Wink whoop new coat, new clothes, well done you!

frenchfancy you are lovely looking...very jealous of your thick hair for a start (mine is frankly shit)...

mollysfolly · 11/12/2012 19:07

Woe, woe and thrice woe!! (I bet BreadandWine & I are the only ones who remember Senna the Soothsayer - and by the way no, I don't mean Way of Eating). I put the wedding dress on again yesterday evening for Christmas do and after 3 days 'normal' eating it looked like a sack of potatoes. So I put something comfortable on and didn't bother with the photos. Maybe by Christmas. Very impressed with all your photos though - ooh la la FrenchFancy - tres belle!

literarygeek · 11/12/2012 19:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mamarun · 11/12/2012 19:46

You all look great. very inspiring. Today was 2nd day in a row of fast. Yesterday was easy but today i gave in. Didn't help that I was sick. My weight is yoyoing so much don't know what to think. One of my festive meals has been cancelled but 3 more to go this week. Might have to fast thi weekend. This flu has been going strong now for about 5 days and feeling a bit fed up. Never mind Sad

AfterEightMintyy · 11/12/2012 19:49

I'm afraid I've missed quite a lot so sorry to be a pita - but what is this new two-days-in-a-row fasting thing?

TalkinPeace2 · 11/12/2012 19:50

A funny thing on weight loss - one of my lovely swimming friends decided to lose weight for her 50th birthday. But she's overdone it.
DH's comment was ' no boobs, no husband' - and actually as a guide to when you have lost enough weight (for the ladies anyway) its a pretty simple one.

The funny thing for me looking at all our pictures is that I think you all look far better than I did when I was the same weight as you (not stealth boast BTW, 8:13 again today).
We have to be careful to listen to our friends who see the real us, not the one we think we see.

Laska42 · 11/12/2012 20:36

After8mintyy no new fundamental change to the WOE .. well not for me anyway.. I'm doing Sundays and Mondays back to back at the moment, and another day in the week if I can (or if not a whole day, then missing breakfasts/lunches on days I'm eating out later) to hopefully limit the damage of all the festive meals out I'm having to attend at the moment and so that i can hopefully survive the Season of Excess and stay the same weight.. After Christmas I'm going back to my usual 4:3 (or 5:2 depending where I am ).

Will be interesting though to see DR Ms book when it comes out and see what he says .. I believe he went down to 6:1 because he thought he was losing too much weight but has now gone back to 5:2 for the health benefits

Laska42 · 11/12/2012 20:37

so TIP2 is he the Green Cross Code man? (you are probably too young to remember him)

TalkinPeace2 · 11/12/2012 20:42

DH met the Green Cross Code man!
Nope, he does science education. If you work it out, please do not shout on here.

Mousey
I'll raise you geeks wanting autographs - with year 10 girls at a Catholic School wanting him to sign them : Frank Zappa references flew that day....

Minty
the two in a row thing would probably be a bad idea for you just in case there is a medical problem underlying your not dropping ....
that and its less fun.
We had reindeer (from Lidl) for supper tonight - nom nom NOM

ToffeeChops · 11/12/2012 20:59

Thanks Mintyy - just caught myself feeling a bit like I did in my old 'diet days' when I would fall off the rails massively from time to time. Don't want to go back there again.

I'll start again with a clean sheet tomorrow. Should be easier now that all the cheese and biscuits are out of the way - ha!

And TiP - the back of the loo is sparkling Xmas Wink

Laska42 · 11/12/2012 21:01

Dont worry about me TIP2 I have absolutely no idea and wouldn't look it up anyway .. totally respect anyone's wish for anonymity..
btw having some myself now an d taking my photo s down

Thanks to all who looked an didn't laugh Grin

AfterEightMintyy · 11/12/2012 21:30

My dh was a local cleb for a while (due to being on tv a lot) and it was quite disconcerting.

My younger brother is an actor and always being recognised for really quite obscure things. Its amazing how many people have no qualms about walking up to a total stranger and saying "hello, I saw you on such and such". Cannot imagine what its like for a real proper celebrity like old Hugh who was on here today.

Aftereightsaremine · 11/12/2012 21:30

I have to say my boobs have definitely shrunk but still want to lose another 3 stone so dh will just have to lump it. It's that or a boob job....
But i don't think any consultant would recommend it for me anyway.

Have to say that for the first time I'm not looking forward to fast day tomorrow, so may not do it but don't want to start on a slippery slope. Off to bed now as feeling a little rough which may explain why I'm not looking forward to tomorrow.

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 11/12/2012 22:07

Oh god nobody actually recognizes DH, he has to wear a t shirt with his "name" on it, but then gets swamped by gamers.....tis sad but true (and very very odd considering most of my friends are actors, one or two of which are vaguely recognizable)

Ooops, non fasting day today but was trying to be good to save myself for total blowout delish meal tonight ... Have eaten a lot of wasabi pease and Reece's peanut butter cups...

Jobyloo · 11/12/2012 23:01

Frenchfancy thanks for pointing out those calculations from the link I posted will stick with the one that Laska posted! Xmas Blush

Well been to DS Christmas play tonight and let's just say I am one very proud mummy! He sang his solo's beautifully and it did make me shed a little tear or two.

Back on a fast day tomorrow and have gone back to the 2 small meals a day with a 150/400 cal split. That seems to work for me, thinking about taking the plunge and only weighing myself fortnightly...hmmmm still not sure on that one yet.

GreenEggsAndNichts · 11/12/2012 23:27

np Joby thanks for trying to find us a new calculator. :) We'll need a new one by the time we need a new thread. Sounds like you had a lovely evening! Mine is 3 and anytime he does.. pretty much anything on his own I get all teary.

GWTMH I was quite a gamer before having DS. Even then, though, I wouldn't know a soul who actually creates the things. I imagine going to cons would be fun!

DH is known in his field mostly because very few books exist in English on his specialty, so he gets random requests from students around the world. It is not at all exciting. He would disagree. Xmas Grin

OP posts:
GreenEggsAndNichts · 11/12/2012 23:28

Mintyy the two fasts days in a row happened because mamarun couldn't fit separate days in this week, I believe. No new changes to the WOE. :)

OP posts:
pookey · 11/12/2012 23:54

TIP does he have a tash?

Watched a trashy 4od programme called secret eaters (skipped a lot because they always repeat themselves on those programmes!) was quite interesting in that they classified people's eating habbits. One mum was a goat because she grazed while making family meals, this added up to 700 extra cals a day without her realising! I def do this, esp with roast dinners (though mostly not on a fast day ;) ) another woman was a magpie because she would eat food from other peoples plates rather than throw it away... I do this with my dc's plates - not dp's though, that would be gross ;)

Snowkey · 12/12/2012 07:17

I can relate to that pookey I nibble a lot while I'm cooking though, supposedly in the name of tasting as I go but I suspect it's a little more excessive than that. You know what they say pickers wear big knickers.
Yesterday I enjoyed some home made tea scones for breakfast, then some homemade mince pies for elevensees, then made some Rocky Road as a food gift and nearly ate a quarter of it! Limited the damage by have a light dinner and no booze. Too much nice food being made and consumed, hopefully fasting, exercise and a dry January will dampen the damage.

GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 12/12/2012 08:09

Well I definitely FEASTED tonight, 3x dirty martinis, the most amazing mozzarella ever, prawns and chilli cannelini beans, lemon, pomegranate and sage pasta, chocolate moose, large whisky to finish off. Thank god for fast day tomorrow!

I am a goat AND magpieConfused (no idea what that emoticon looks like, seems right on the app!!)

mamarun · 12/12/2012 09:02

minty indeed the 2 days in a row was me due to an overly scheduled week. But I didn't make it through fast number 2. Despite that and feeling that this flu was stopping me losing more weight I weighed myself this morning and I have dropped 1.9 kg since yesterday- again losing weight 2 days after fast rather than strait after. That's slightly over 4lbs!!! I know it will go up as I eat but it's the first time in years that I've gine that low. Suddenly what seemed so hard to do has become easy. Am oing to enjoy 2 of my festive meals today.

mamarun · 12/12/2012 09:03

girlwithmousyhair your meal sounds delicious and well worth it Xmas Smile

GreenEggsAndNichts · 12/12/2012 09:57

ooh pookey that show is the one I kept quoting in our early days here to try to get people to use the calculator/ count calories for a few days to see what they "should" be eating versus what they really were eating. It's a bit trashy and a bit exploitative (suspect the majority of people watching just are in it for the shock value) but I think if it helps a few people see themselves and change habits, it's good. Have only seen bits of it once. I admit, I'd probably watch it more often if I remembered!

I can't think of many magpie situations for me as I just wrap food up for later if DS doesn't eat it. However, if I make a roast dinner (which is very rare), I have been known to goat a bit if it's a chicken or turkey. Xmas Grin

GWTMH that sounds lovely!

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