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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 9, welcoming the new year...

999 replies

GreenEggsAndNichts · 10/01/2013 00:14

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. This might be a good place to catch up with us if you're feeling a bit lost!

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.

B&W has found a new link to the aforementioned Horizon programme here. If you're keen to see it, watch it soon, because BBC has been quick to find these copies and shut them down online. We're hoping they'll re-play it again soon. I know these threads are popular, maybe they'll read my request. Wink

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:
literarygeek · 17/01/2013 12:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

InterestingIan · 17/01/2013 12:23

@skippyscuffleton

I have actually measured my BP come to think of it. I think about the same as it was 6 months ago . .namely about 138/90 on average. So it seems my weight loss hasn't decreased my BP unlike everyone claims! (any weight loss is supposed to reduce BP, not just on this diet).

You've only lost 1 kg?? But were you overweight when you started?

InterestingIan · 17/01/2013 12:30

BTW my current weight is 14 st 7 lbs and am 5 ft 10. I've got quite a good body though.

InterestingIan · 17/01/2013 12:31

Ooops, no 13 st 7 lbs I mean! LOL I used to weigh over 14 st

GreenEggsAndNichts · 17/01/2013 12:37

I've got quite a good body though. Woah there, cowboy. Grin

Have been doing this since August, had excellent results for a few months and honestly haven't had much change since the end of November. However, as long as I'm not putting weight on, I'm happy to carry on and hope it's a plateau. I do intend to change a few things up with it, maybe eating day calories or different exercise, but at the moment real life is just swamping me (new DIY-laden house, currently still in old house because landlady is insisting we stay for the 2 month period indicated in our letting agreement, even though she's actively trying to sell the place which is the only reason we rushed to buy a place to begin with. grr.) and I just don't wanna. Because I'm feeling like a 36 yr old petulant child at the moment!

But I'm still doing 4:3. I meant to switch to 5:2 but am worried about the lack of movement on the scales.. meh.

OP posts:
InterestingIan · 17/01/2013 12:46

I was thinking about trying 4:3. But the problem is I can't do 4:3 forever. And once I go back to 5:2 I'm wondering if I'll just regain the lost weight?

Laska42 · 17/01/2013 12:57

LOL! almost another 'lycra' moment there greeneggs Wink Grin

On the bright side though .... ok you may have topay double rent/mortgage for a couple of months, but at least you have time to get some of the more onerous DIY and decorating sorted before you and family move in....

Damn.. have miso soup here but HAVE NO FRANKS!! ( those who know me will understand just how upsetting this is ..) .. may have to troll out now to sainsburys.. dont like visiting food shops on fasting days thouh..

Mmmm... Chicken Dhansak.. cyclistist if i lived nearer id be there with you ... Sadly on this offshore rock the curry houses aint up to much ,so have to make my own and only indulge in restuarant or takeaway curry when i go to 'North island' (thats wot you are on!) ..

Sht! must stop thinking curry ..its a fast day ! Sad

ThinkICan · 17/01/2013 13:01

I know how you feel Greeneggs. Maybe you can tell your landlady to compromise at 1 month instead of 2. And hang in there. Something's gotta change pretty soon!

frenchfancy · 17/01/2013 13:19

I bet your local curries are better than ours greeneggs

Never mind I am having curry tonight even though it is a fast day, my Butternut squash and lentil curry which is delish. Even better it is from the freezer today so I don't even have to cook it.

Breadandwine · 17/01/2013 13:36

GreenEggs there's no hurry about answering my PM - you've got loads on your plate as it is (especially if today's a feed day)! Smile

Laska - all my fast days include curry (or chilli)!

I've been meaning to ask you and Cyclist about Franks and hot sauces generally. As a chilli-head myself - I sprinkle my food with cayenne pepper rather than black pepper, for instance - I use a fair amount of WI hot pepper sauce. I was wondering where this came in in the 'heat' stakes, in your opinion?

GreenEggsAndNichts · 17/01/2013 13:39

Ian yes, I worry the same. Though, anecdotally, I went to 6:1 over Christmas/ New Years and only put on a pound. (and that's with all the added holiday food/drinks) Now I've gone back to 4:3 and not budged, again. Confused As I said, I plan on re-visiting and changing around a few things, I just haven't had that mental energy I need to do that sort of change. So I'm clinging to the usual fasting days and muddling through.

I appreciate it ThinkICan! I have tried. She was always very reasonable to us so she was the first one I emailed, before the letting agent. We had no idea there was a 2-month period; we assumed since it was a short-term rollover at this point that it was a month notice we needed to give. I know, I know, shouldn't assume. :( Expensive life lesson. But it's put me in a real crap mood for most of this week, if I'm honest! Hell I'm lucky I haven't dived head-first into a bag of Doritos.

Yes Laska that's the only good thing here! I'm getting some quotes in on some of the bigger jobs, and if they're able to start before we need to live there, that might make it worth it. One is a wall/ partial chimney removal thing, so loud and messy.

Sorry to go off-topic, but my mental mood really affects my eating patterns, and I don't think I'm alone in that. This house thing is just an example of the sort of thing that can come up. I haven't stopped my fast days, though, and I'm pleased with myself for that.

OP posts:
GreenEggsAndNichts · 17/01/2013 13:40

oh heck sorry B&W I'll answer it now! It's a fast day so I'm nursing a cup of coffee and pondering life (or browsing online for DIY ideas/instructions) whilst I wait for the viewings for this house this afternoon to arrive.

OP posts:
catsrus · 17/01/2013 14:05

Well it's freezing here - and I'm working from home today in a house much colder than my lovely warm office - so I'm having (another) intermittent grazing day. This is a day when I can't easily fast but want to stay 'in the zone', so no calorie counting but very healthy eating - with full permission given to myself for treats! This is probably what people who have no weight issues call a 'normal' day Smile - I agree the supersize-super skinny programme gives a real insight into different takes on 'normal'!

I admire anyone who does a fast from home - particularly a 16 hr+ no food one! I can do that easily when I'm at work or out of the house but not days like today. So far, tea & coffee with milk, lunch a bowl of red cabbage borscht and then banana & yoghurt. I'll make a veggie curry for tonight I think and freeze some portions for proper fast days. Tomorrow I'm in another office so will just work through lunch and have my first meal in the evening - probably the curry if it stays this cold!

My advice to anyone starting is to not beat yourself up about going over 500/600 or a fast day not working or eating lots of snacks rather than one meal. Most of us have been through that and found we gradually made adjustments that worked for us.

For those not losing - just a thought, some medications can cause weight gain so if you are on any it might be worth checking - a friend of mine was eating very little due to illness and was putting on weight - was totally Hmm until she realised she was on steroids!

TheCyclistist · 17/01/2013 14:10

Yeah the quality of Indian restaurants round here comes no where near matching the quantity. The owners seem to have gone down the route of, 'the cheaper it costs and the quicker I get it to them the better'. Which sadly seems to explain why so many have the banner 'under new ownership' displayed every 6 months.

Afternoon B&W for me it's got to be Encona Hot West Indian Sauce, failing that Tabasco. Got to admit that since doing this WOE have started using a lot more Smile

Well 16 1/2 hours since I last had something to eat, had 3 cups of Herbal and Fruit teas so far and about to have a cup of Boullion with a dash of chilli sauce to drink. Tonight will be 2 cans of Sainsburys Ham and Barley Soup then a WW mince beef hotpot with Sprouts, Green Beans and carrots....and loads of chilli sauce

InterestingIan · 17/01/2013 14:14

@catsrus. No meds apart from resveratrol and Q10 Uniqinol caps.

skippyscuffleton · 17/01/2013 14:45

InterestingIan
i'm 1.83m and just weighed myself, 95.3kg (210lbs), was 93.9kg sometime last week. To be honest that is probably roughly what I weighed this time last year. I'm not doing this for weight loss but I do find it interesting why there hasn't really been a noticable difference. I don't weigh myself very often and i may have been around the 100kg mark last jan but i don't think so. I certainly have some fat to shift around the stomach but am happy with my shape otherwise (wife might have a different view on this..) I have a real sweet tooth and love choc plus ice cream, definately eat more than I should on feed days. Drink v little alcohol, most weeks none at all. I also do a good level of exercise, cycling 50-100 hilly miles a week (av speed 15.4mph) and swim 3x pw doing a mixture of distance swimming and sprints. As I said before my bloods last oct/nov showed an improvement but weren't that bad when I last had them done 3 yrs ago. All my trousers bought pre august are too loose around the waist now and have had to make an extra hole in belts. Lack of weight loss remains a bit of a mystery but doesn't concern me. I feel fit, energised and pretty happy so for me it's on on with 5:2. Smile

skippyscuffleton · 17/01/2013 14:48

InterestingIan
Sorry, also meant to say that when I replied to your earlier post I mistakenly thought you had started 5:2 this mth.

Snowkey · 17/01/2013 15:02

Skippy I'd blame the lack of weight loss on your sweet tooth. Have you tried not eating sugar for a couple of weeks? I'm a recovering sugar addict....I've been cold turkey for 3 weeks now - feeling good about it too.

InterestingIan · 17/01/2013 15:10

@skippyscuffleton

Am pleased you haven't lost weight! No disrespect I mean I'm pleased I'm not the only one! Think I'm similar to you then -- little weight loss, exercise all the time and pretty decent body! Oh yes, and eating sweet stuff!

Aftereightsarenolongermine · 17/01/2013 15:10

For those of you concerned about not losing, why not celebrate that you are not gaining instead. If you are eating normally 5 days a week then surely staying the same weight is a victory.

I'm now almost at the weight I've not managed to get below in 14 years & I've decided that's the view I'm going to take if I don't lose anymore.

maniacbug · 17/01/2013 15:12

Hello, 4th fast day for me - and I'm actually ENJOYING it Shock!
This is the first time I've not had a lingering headache all morning. Did my 16 hours from the last piece of Christmas pudding fudge (yum) at 9.15pm last night till 1.45pm today, then soup, ryvita + cottage cheese completely filled me up. Looking forward to prawn/veg stir fry tonight AND will have enough calories for a few pieces of G&B Maya Gold!
Haven't weighed myself since pg with DS2 3 years ago, so it's a teeny bit frustrating not knowing if the first 2 weeks have made a difference (jeans still don't fit!)... but I think (hope) I can keep this up.

Now, my qu for today is: did someone upthread mention home-made Bailey's, or did I dream that? If so, pleeeease can I have the recipe?

GreenEggsAndNichts · 17/01/2013 15:28

maniac good news! I enjoy it as well. Lucky you to have gotten into it so quickly, because I recall my first few fasts were quite difficult, and that was before the weather was as cold as it is now!

Homemade Bailey's, absolutely amazing. 1 US cup = 236 mls, approximately. I just use the standard sized tin of condensed milk here, I don't measure it because it's close enough. Most important thing: do not use peaty aged Scottish stuff, which is best consumed neat and nowhere near this. Irish whiskey is the way forward (also not an aged one).

OP posts:
literarygeek · 17/01/2013 15:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GreenEggsAndNichts · 17/01/2013 15:38

oh dear. Grin I'll be honest, I blame MN for my even wanting to try it. All the Christmas threads featured people going on about Baileys, and while I enjoy Baileys, it's usually just something to put in coffee for me. The homemade one is amazing. And I bet a coconut milk one would be lovely! Shock I actually have coconut milk. I could use that instead of the cream. hm. hmm.

OP posts:
ThinkICan · 17/01/2013 15:52

Greeneggs - about the house. Think of the long term. Five years from now, when you are lolling around in your lovely home, this extra month will not matter! Much the same with our weights I guess. Not losing weight for a month or two seems a big deal now - but when we are our slim trim avatars in six months/1 year, we are going to laugh about this too! I put on weight slowly over so many years and want to lose it all in a month or two. Smile

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