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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! Number 8, fast away fast away fast away all!

999 replies

GreenEggsAndNichts · 14/12/2012 15:51

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 You'll find a lot of support here.

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. Here is a link to the programme's page on iPlayer, which features a couple of clips, and might have updates eventually. Let us know if you find another site hosting it.

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. (This is a new calculator to previous threads, this one seems to give me approximately the same results the last one did, but without the virus warnings on my browser!)

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:
BecBro4 · 23/12/2012 00:17

xkc - I found the second day of fasting so much easier and the third day didn't even feel i was doing anything Smile

The one thing i have noticed is if i drink alcohol or soft drinks on my feed days then i crave food and snacks in general (the saltier the better) on my fast days. so i am now limiting all my soft drinks and alcohol.

off to do another 30 day shred Xmas Wink

FlojoHoHoHo · 23/12/2012 00:30

Well today was supposed to be a fasting day but by 4pm I was ravenous then DP unexpectedly dropped by and I ended up cooking pasta for us so that was that.
I drink so much tea in a day that I have no cals left for food so it really would be a fasting day.
I am going to try again tomorrow.
I need to exercise more tho, I am so unfit, has anyone got any advice on how I can exercise at home? I really struggle with motivation at home, tried Wii zumba and a couple of dvds but never seem to stick to them. As I have kids, going out isn't really an option. Anyone any ideas?

FlojoHoHoHo · 23/12/2012 00:31

What is the 30 day shred? Is it a dvd?

GreenEggsAndNichts · 23/12/2012 00:38

xkcd it does get easier. And I highly recommend watching calories on non-fast days. You don't eat low-calorie on those days, but you should try to stick to your TDEE (link in the OP) give or take a bit. Obviously this time of year we're all eating lots of treats (I'm just happy I'm not gaining now tbh!) but I think on average you should just be eating a normal amount of food. The TDEE helps you know what "normal" is for your height/weight/activity range.

Flojo why does your tea have so many calories? Are you using sugar? I think you will struggle with this if you're drinking 500 calories worth of tea! :) I recommend Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred for a short but effective DVD.

OP posts:
BecBro4 · 23/12/2012 00:49

what Greeneggs said Smile it is a brilliant dvd with workouts that are only 20 minutes in length each so easy for me to fit in. I couldn't do a push up when i started i can now do 25 in a row Shock

Piebaldrider · 23/12/2012 07:00

I haven't been around much the last two weeks , there are a number of reasons why but im still working towards my goals.

During my time away i have to confess that last week i only managed 6:1 and because i have been poorly this week i didn't manage a complete fast at all. However Monday i fasted 18 hours , Tues and Weds i fasted 24 hours with nothing but black coffee. I was fine with this and lost just over a pound and i lost a pound last week too on 6.1. I didn't go to the gym or ride my horse for at least a week and during that time i ate and drank whatever i wanted when in a non fasting period. So i think that over the Christmas period i will do much the same and just not eat when i don't need or want too. It seems to me that on occasions we can keep it going for a while even if we are not doing the full 5.2 . My stomach has definitely shrunk recently and i cant eat anything like the amount i used too and I often find if i eat lunch i don't want anything now in the evenings.

Merry Christmas to you all .

literarygeek · 23/12/2012 11:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Laska42 · 23/12/2012 18:48

Hi all fasting again today , then will again on 27th , today has been fine despite cooking Christmas food ( but was doing ham and pate so couldn't nibble it .. I deliberately saved the mince pie making for tomorrow!.

Yesterday though I had my first stonking hangover in years .. despite not having that much wine compared to what I used to put away ,, (but yes it was still over half a bottle), I think my alcohol tolerance has gone down , but oh did I pack the carbs away also yesterday .. something I don't do much these days either. and woke this morning REALLY hungry ..

someone ( sorry cant remember who) , wanted the web site contact .. its on the media requests thread. but its for the website builder , not DR M himself so they wont be able to answer a specific questions regarding slack skin .. Dr Mosley is on twitter and he does seem to be answering some peoples questions/.. perhaps it might be best to try there ..

Well if I don't get back on tomorrow . Here's wishing a great Christmas to all my 5:2 friends WineWine and to say thanks for all the great support and banter we've had over the last few months .. I'm pretty sure that after the New year , we will no longer be the 'select group' we have been! Xmas Grin

Have a good time , and remember we cant fail .. all we need to do is remember to get back on the fasting waggon after.

FlojoHoHoHo · 23/12/2012 21:00

I will have a look on amazon for the shred dvd then and give it a try.
I'm not sure how many cals are in my brew, I have it milky with 1 sugar and drink about 5 or 6 a day.

rachelblythe · 23/12/2012 21:01

Hi everyone!
Just a quicky to also wish everyone a fabulous xmas! Looking forward to hearing how you all enjoy the festive food without any guilt. that's certainly what's happening here anyway. Although i have to admit i am looking forward to a fast between xmas and new year,.firstly to counteract the overindulging which has already begun, but also I'm already feeling quite bloated and uncomfortable in the evenings due to a lower than average intake of nice nutritional, easily digestible food. Too many chocolates and baked goods around!

Iwearblack · 23/12/2012 21:03

Yes xkcd the fast days do get easier! I used to have to have emergency fruit in my office 'just in case' I cracked and found it hard to get to lunchtime without having a snack (and that was after having a small breakfast). I now don't have breakfast and can last until tea time .... A 24 hr fast may not be long in coming (as I know lots of posters manage). Never thought i could do that when I started 3 months ago.... And now am the lightest I have been in 15 yrs! (BMI still over 25 though).
Have a good christmas y'all. Thanks for all sharing your tips and encouragement. Will be back after new year to see how we are all doing! Xmas Grin

frenchfancy · 23/12/2012 21:09

Joyeuse Noël everyone. Xmas Smile

No fasts until the 27th now hopefully won't undo too much of the good work.

Yes Laska, I'm sure in the New Year there will be many more joining the fold, especially if they re-run the Horizon programme to coincide with the book launch (I certainly would if I were in charge)

FlojoHoHoHo · 23/12/2012 23:00

Not had a proper fast day yet and not likely til 26th now. But I didnt have much today just wrong things and I'm in bed feeling rather hungry but satisfied that I made it through the evening without finishing off the 3 mince pies that are left in the box!

pookey · 23/12/2012 23:29

Laska your post was lovely. The will power on here is really inspiring me to try and fast tomorrow. Maybe 900 will allow a couple of choccies whilst wrapping the last presents tomorrow :)

GreenEggs a modidifed fast is sounding like a very good idea for ttc, how lovely to be planning that :)

Happy christmas all if I don't log on tomorrow!

tiggy114 · 24/12/2012 08:20

Well i havn't been aeound because i've had the dreaded norovirus. However, the upside of this is it was very easy to do a 2 day fast!!!! I have dropeed under 170 pounds so very chuffed as i was stuck. Over all though, i havn't lost loads of weight, but my belly looks smaller and softer. Less solid and bloated. I definately look thinner. Anyone else found this? And my stomach has def shrunk. I've just stopped eating for the sake of it! Even over xmas, i'm not bothered!!!! Amazing!

Breadandwine · 24/12/2012 10:02

Fasting today - going for 20 hours instead of 24 - and I'm not sure if I'll stick to less than 600 cals for my evening meal.

Not really bothered, since I can easily do some sort of a fast on Boxing Day and I've been pretty good up to now.

Best wishes to all my friends on this lovely thread - have a good one (or two) Xmas Wink! Xmas SmileXmas SmileXmas Smile WineWine Wine

mollysfolly · 24/12/2012 10:30

Ciao everyone! Have just returned from a wonderful 4 days in Venice to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. Don't know if I've put much, if any, weight back on - we walked our legs off so surely that will have helped Xmas Smile. The breakfasts at the hotel were continental so a bit carby but we just had a couple of cichetti (like tapas) at lunchtime with a couple of prosecco or soave then a good meal in the evenings.

Fasting today!! Working till 2pm then busy wrapping prezzies and doing some baking for DD as we're having Christmas Day with her, so busy busy.

Merry Christmas to you all Xmas Smile

Breadandwine · 24/12/2012 10:43

My granddaughter has reminded me that yesterday I recommended this website to a couple of women who were browsing in the diet book section of WH Smith's - turns out their father had just been diagnosed with diabetes.

I think I embarrassed my beautiful granddaughter but she forgives me now!

Merry christmas to all of you and enjoy your family time Xmas Grin

literarygeek · 24/12/2012 11:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GreenEggsAndNichts · 24/12/2012 11:36

oh yes, B&W, I recommended this thread to a friend at a toddler group on Friday. I'll have just outed myself if she's reading, of course, luckily I don't post anything too controversial. Xmas Wink

I'm actually doing a partial fast today, myself. I didn't fast yesterday but I didn't go overboard at all, either. We had a filling evening meal, though, so I thought I should go ahead and not eat today until evening. No big eating plans today either but I'll be partaking in the homemade Baileys Wine and some spinach dip.

As tiggy says, I'm not craving the Christmas foods as much this year, which is crazy. We have mince pies in the house but I've yet to have one.

I do have an Italian fig cookie recipe that I've wanted to attempt, and I have all the ingredients, so I'll be doing them at some point. Xmas Smile

Merry Christmas, everyone. Xmas Grin Xmas Grin

OP posts:
GreenEggsAndNichts · 24/12/2012 11:36

molly am jealous! One of these days I'll get to Italy. Happy Anniversary!

OP posts:
Breadandwine · 24/12/2012 11:42

lg no vegangelism this time (great word, I'll appropriate that, thanks!) - in fact I do very little of that.

And my GD added the last two lines of my last post (I would have had to capitalise 'Christmas'!)

Now, where's the mixing bowl and the bread flour? Xmas Grin

Need to make a Christmas loaf!

Scalehopper · 24/12/2012 12:35

Hi all! Just found this thread. Starting this plan in the new year, got lots to lose so looking forward to hanging around (if that's ok!) and learning lots. Merry Xmas to all Smile

TheCyclistist · 24/12/2012 20:02

Just wanted to pop in and wish everyone here a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS. See you all in the new year when no doubt I will be desperately in need of a Fast or ten.
Take care all and I hope all your Christmas wishes come true!!!!!

mumrunner · 24/12/2012 22:46

Just wanted to say Merry Christmas to everyone. Will be back on this WOE with DH on the New Year, he's so impress on this WOE that will be doing it together.