Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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:
TheCyclistist · 23/11/2012 09:56

Hi TML , you said

Whether you burn body fat or not will depend on your energy stores gained from eating carbs, in your liver and your muscles until these are used up the body will not go anywhere near your body fat stores .

So if you didn't eat carbs and only ate protein you're saying that your Liver and muscles would have no energy stores. So for instance someone eating 3,500 kcals a day derived from fat and protein would have no fat stores Confused .

Our bodies burn calories or fat depending on how much energy is taken in and how much energy is needed to keep it running, whether your diet is high in carbs or protein or fat has no bearing as to how quick the fat stores are depleted. There was a Horizon programme a few years back that investigated the high protein fad diets, it's conclusion in the end was that high protein diets worked for two reasons:

  1. Someone eating a very low carbohydrate diet would after a very short period of time become so bored with their diet that their calorie intake would drop
  2. Protein sends signals to the brain making it feel full, carbohydrates don't.

Eating too many calories, be it from carbohydrates, protein or fat leads to stores of fat. But a diet too high Protein leads to Kidney and Liver damage, increased rates of heart disease and cancer. A diet high in refined carbohydrates ie sugar, also of course leads to health problems.

But 'caaarbs' have no magic capacity to make us fat.....calories do.

samandcj · 23/11/2012 10:04

Just reporting another one at target!
I've lost 30lbs since the end of July and am now where I want to be. I am switching from a mix of 5:2/4:3 to 6:1 (every Monday) I will re-test my cholesterol in another 3 months (7.6 down to 4.29)
I am also going to try to keep to my 'no snacking' rule and behave like a slim person!!

skippyscuffleton · 23/11/2012 10:23

Whether you burn body fat or not will depend on your energy stores gained from eating carbs, in your liver and your muscles - until these are used up the body will not go anywhere near your body fat stores.

Sorry but I don't think that's true. When you are pottering around/doing easy activities as opposed to exercising, roughly a third of your energy is coming from carbs/glucose and the other two thirds from fat (breaking down free fatty acids). The ratio of fat to carb burning will be higher the fitter you are. When you start exercising, the more intense the form of exercise the more your body will rely on carbs/glucose/glycogen and so the level of fat metabolism will decrease, you will also burn up the glycogen stores quicker.

Further fat metabolism will also occur when fasting, roughly 18-24 hrs (or maybe less if you've recently been exercising and haven't eaten soon after stopping the exercise) into your fast your bodies glycogen stores will be v low and your body will start the process of gluconeogenesis, converting fat and a little protein into glucose to supplement the dwindling glycogen/carb store.

ceebeegeebies · 23/11/2012 10:25

Another question (I know I promised I wouldn't ask anymore). I do go to the gym 4 or 5 times a week and, on the slim chance that I felt I had enough energy to go to the gym on one of my fasting days - how does that work in respect of my 500 cals?

If, for example, I went to the gym and did a class which burns 500 calories and I only ate 500 cals that day, I would be on nil calories for the day so does that mean I would need to eat 1000 cals that day to achieve the 500 calorie intake? (I hope that makes sense) Smile

stclemens · 23/11/2012 10:29

so yesterday was meant to be a fast day. Ate around 300cal until 6pm but we had celebratory drinks at work - so then ate three mince pies, crisps and a couple of glasses of wine which obviously blew my fast day out of the water. Will try again tomorrow maybe...

ManOnBoard · 23/11/2012 11:02

CBGBs No, your body is continuously burning fat so were you to take any additional exercise would you then counter this with rest periods. The 500cals is based on 25% of 2000cals which is the accepted norm for a woman but is unlikely, in reality, to apply to anyone. The 600cals for a man is based on 25% of 2500cals which is obviousy wrong. Keep it simple and stick to 500cals.

TML Must agree with Sculleon your body is always burning fat for enrgy albeit at a low level for the first 4/5 seconds. A sprinter would primarily use anaerobic systems but a marathon runner would be 98% aerobic

GreenEggsAndNichts · 23/11/2012 11:08

CBGB your trip to the gym doesn't change your allotted calories on a fast day, sorry. :) I know WW and other programs allow for that, but this doesn't.

And as I've said previously, your first couple of fast days might be a bit difficult, but it does get a lot easier. I'm fasting today and am happier for it (yesterday was Thanksgiving! I didn't make us the full roast, will do that on Saturday, but we did have some nice spinach dip, and pumpkin pie, so I think I honestly won't feel hungry again til evening..)

OP posts:
powkin · 23/11/2012 11:23

Hi all,

I haven't updated my progress since I joined the thread way back in August so thought I should give an update. My goal was to lose 18lbs to go from 10st4lbs to 9st (I'm 5ft 2in). The idea that at my height I should be around 8 and a half stone is a bit overwhelming, so 9 stone seems a sensible goal for now.

Since starting I have lost at least 10lbs and now have a 'normal' BMI but my scales are so bad my weight can differ by lbs by just moving them round the room or leaning one way of the other! Still I'm now a firm size 12 rather than a 12/14 and I'm looking better in my clothes. I can't ever imagine putting on a size 10, it hasn't happened in 10 years, I think I would cry with joy!

I've actually stopped weighing myself for now as my weight loss seems to have plateaued I don't want to get disparaged by not losing weight. I've been messing around with different contraceptive pills which probably hasn't helped.

I'm still desperate to reach 9st by Christmas - coming back to this thread and seeing the success stories has helped me get my eye back on the prize!

Glad to see everyone's doing so well. Keep it up Envy Grin

GreenEggsAndNichts · 23/11/2012 11:30

ooh thanks for the update, Powkin, and congratulations on your success with it. :) I know how you feel about not wanting to weigh yourself. It might be worth changing around what you're eating on non-fast days, or changing the number of days around, if you feel the need.

OP posts:
ThinkICan · 23/11/2012 11:33

Congrats on reaching your target samandcj. Tell us what worked for you, what you ate on fast, non-fast days, exercise, stalls. It might spark a brainwave in someone else!

ceebeegeebies · 23/11/2012 11:35

Thanks for the information regarding exercise. I have just calculated my TDEE using the calculator and based on my weight and the amount of exercise I do, my daily allowance should be 2500 cals so do I need to fast at 25% of that amount? What is the purpose of working out the TDEE?

catsrus · 23/11/2012 11:46

re. the milk in tea issue - I can't drink it without, I can drink real coffee black but not instant. So I drink about 3-6 cups of tea with milk a day including fast days, some fast days I would also drink coffee with milk (like today as I'm at home this morning). I was very very good all day yesterday and had veggie curry then got the nibbles about 9pm and had 5 ryvita with real butter and marmite . this morning the scales had finally tipped under the magic 10st !!! so now my total loss is 19lb since August.

ATM, due to work related trips (and the odd ryvita splurge) I seem to be adopting a "try for a fast day" approach most days and then just see how it goes. Will not be eating now until after 4pm as I have a meeting at 2.30 and find I am much more alert if I don't eat - next week will be a killer as I'm away for a few days then back to the work christmas lunch!

Not eating breakfast is definitely the one huge thing about this WOE that I will continue with I think. Maybe at the weekend I might indulge, but on a busy day it really enables me to just get on and not think about food again until i am genuinely hungry.

catsrus · 23/11/2012 11:49

the TDEE was a bit of a shock for some of us CBGB as mine was between 1500 - 1600 Shock so that really explained why I was not losing weight on the 'sensible' 1500 low calorie diet I had tried. I had not been factoring in my age and post menopausal state, change in exercise patterns etc

So the value really is a reality check - what does your body actually need

tiggy114 · 23/11/2012 12:06

I'm a bit confused with TDEE as well. Mines around 1800 so is it saying that in order to lose weight i need to eat less than that in a normal day and on fast days 25% of that? That would mean 461 cal a day on fast days. Eek !!! I'll starve. Lol.

Laska42 · 23/11/2012 12:18

Hi all well I think I'm finally on the mend.. though a bit washed out.. Keep away from the stomach bugs going around.. NOT recommended. Despite not eating much at all i've lost only another 1.5 lbs this week , but as this takes me below my magic 50lbs lost since starting dietingGrinGrin ( not 5:2! i've only been doing this since August) but I'm taking it as a result.. Its rather scary to look back on my wedding photos of 6 years ago and see just how big I was then , and my wedding dress (which was mid-calf and loose fitting anyway ) is nearly floor length on me now! lol. ShockGrin

However, I'm fully prepared that it may not stick as weight loss for this week and I cant say I'm feeling terribly healthy today after so right now I'm just looking forward to eating properly again..so no fasts for me until next week now.. DH home tonight (he works away) so planning a simple roast chicken veggies and jacket spuds for later...

Re TDEE yes it was a shock to me also .. I'm just the same as you catsrus and I reckon on the famous WW diet I was eating more than that each day using their 'points' system whilst still sticking to their limit.. .. no wonder I wants losing. Ill never go back to it..

BTW Catsrus well done on the magic 10st barrier.. I'm 10.2 this morning , and its my birthday in a couple of weeks Id love to be 10st for that..

Good luck all fasters and welcome to the new people I've not said Hi to yet..

My motto for this WOE is KISS (because it is simple) 500 cals 2 or 3 days a week, Dont go mad on the others..

Its worked for me..and I've struggled for a couple of years after plateauing on WW (probably cos I'd reached my TDEE point and didn't know it!)

Laska42 · 23/11/2012 12:20

600 for those lucky blokes though ...

Iwearblack · 23/11/2012 12:29

Have done 6:1 this week as had work functions requiring social eating so hard to fit a 'proper' second fast day in. However, found I naturally left a lot of the food in the restaurant as genuinely wasn?t that hungry (ate all the chocolate pudding obviously). Am i turning into a person who eats like a naturally slim person?? Shock
Two things that made me go Grin this week!
I was busy trying to thread some elastic into a garment I am making when I dropped a safety pin; immediately I clamped my thighs together to catch it but it fell through this gap I have newly required between my thighs!! Had to bend down and pick it up from the floor instead ? the perils of losing weight eh?
Secondly ? may wee daughter gave me a big hug yesterday and said 'oo mum you have lost weight ? my arms overlap behind your back now!'
Grin

GreenEggsAndNichts · 23/11/2012 12:35

CBGB Tiggy eat 500 calories on your fast days, don't worry about TDEE. Yes, it's been mentioned that it's 25% of your TDEE, but I really recommend sticking to the 500 calories. That's the amount which the weight-loss studies used for the participants, regardless of size. It just keeps things simple.

TDEE comes into play on your non-fast days, for figuring out approximately what you should be eating on those days. It's important to know this, because many of us had problems with portion control previously. Also, because many are trying this after having been on traditional low-calorie diets, and you really don't want to be eating low calorie on your non-fast days.

OP posts:
samandcj · 23/11/2012 12:45

Thanks ThinkICan. What worked for me was a simple routine (I'm a creature of habit!)
On a fast day I saved my calories for 6pm when I have something like fish and green veg or veg curry or an M&S ready meal........something I didn't have to think about.
On a non fast day I have a few 'rules' ie no cake, crisps, chocolate or alcohol. I find it difficult to just have a small amount of something nice.... With me it's all or nothing.
I have found that my tastes have changed, I am hoping that keeping to the 6:1 for the foreseeable future (as it seems to be keeping my cholesterol under control) will help me 'remember' that I don' need to have that chocolate or those crisps every day.
Christmas will be a challenge!
Good luck to everyone ........you CAN do it!

ceebeegeebies · 23/11/2012 12:58

Thank you Smile 500 cals it is.

I am fasting today for the first time...I had a glass of water and a cup of tea with a smidgen of milk this morning and no breakfast for the first time since the day DS2 was born by c/s 4 years ago Grin

The hunger pangs were there but I managed to ignore them and it was fine - have really surprised myself about how much I could actually ignore them if I tried.

Have just had a carton of chicken and veg soup for lunch and am having a carton of green veg soup for tea - I still have 100 cals left for the day but am going to try not eating them and then having a small snack for supper Grin

Now I just need to get through the next 4 hours at work...

TellMeLater · 23/11/2012 13:00

I'm not going to even try to convince the carb lovers one way or the other about the merits or otherwise of a low carb diet - I've read discussion on this subject that go on for 40 pages - IME it's like trying to convince someone who votes Tory to vote Labour a complete waste of time.Smile

Just one thing though - what's with the 'caarbs' thing?

squoosh · 23/11/2012 13:11

I defer to Dr Briffa on the subject of carbs.

TalkinPeace2 · 23/11/2012 13:12

Whoop Whoop jump round the room. Hopped on the scales this morning.
8 stone 13 1/2
first time I've been under nine stone (even by that fraction) for over 20 years
AND it means my target of losing a stone doing this WOE has been achieved
new target is BMI of 20 - another 4 pounds - and then to stay there for ever.

PS am going to do some research on HOW fat cells form and are broken down and make it into a GoogleDoc for people to read next week .....

ceebeegeebies · 23/11/2012 14:04

Talkin well done Grin Your story has really given me inspiration for this diet.

Can I just ask how quickly you all started to see results - such as what was your weight loss the first week, how long before you felt it with your clothes etc?

ThinkICan · 23/11/2012 14:06

Whoop, whoop! Well done TiP2.

Swipe left for the next trending thread