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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:
pookey · 11/01/2013 16:25

TIP2 - that makes your motivation even more amazing really. do you find it ok excersing with knee problems what precautions do you take? Enjoy Wine laska and TIP2

TheCyclistist · 11/01/2013 16:28

Hi Laska , yeah did 40 miles and feel great. Got a feeling with the forecast the way it is it'll be the last time I'll be out for a while. Did you do a lap of the office on the uni? Grin

...and the answer on a Friday is always to Wine , but don't double it up with some uni practice. Have a great weekend.

TalkinPeace2 · 11/01/2013 16:32

pookey Swimming and yoga and some cycling - no impact at all and I cannot do front crawl kick. Most people have no idea because I'm used to hiding it. Wore a knee brace when I was nearing 10 st. Do not need it now.

Cyclistist Ignore the Daily Fail - they had nearly the same headline just before we went to the USA - it was bilge then too.

Laska42 · 11/01/2013 16:40

pookey. If i were you id just aim for Monday .. Like I said to heffalump .. dont torture yourself if you are not feeling 100%..You could just be setting yourself up for failure and more bad headspace where you will just beat yourself up

Unless you feel really better do what Aunty Laska says ..... .. im sure that you'll do much better if you allow your body to get better and wait until Monday ...

Yes but bro wasn't I giving Wine up for January ? oh well.. I must do what i'm told also it seems.. WinkGrin

Oh well, I never said I was good.....(devil in high heels emoticon)

frenchfancy · 11/01/2013 16:49

Ian I've been on 5:2 since September averaging 1lb/week, stalled a bit in December (weekend away followed by Christmas were probably responsible) but I am now back on board and have lost over 4lb in the past 2 weeks.

I think the change is due to my upping my exercising - I have an active job but don't normally do other exercise. I've started C25K and I'm doing what I can on other days.

Just done wk3 run 1, never thought I would be able to do it. I am very proud of myself. Wine tonight for sure. And the Wii fit arrived today so I'll have to set that up. Wine + Wii may not be a good idea though :)

TheCyclistist · 11/01/2013 16:51

Yep Laska but you didn't say which year Smile 2014 sounds good to me

TIP2 ,yep lies, damn lies and newspaper headlines!

TalkinPeace2 · 11/01/2013 16:51

frenchfancy
wii and Wine is great fun - tennis and baseball - just remember not to swing with a glass in your hand Grin

Laska42 · 11/01/2013 17:17

Right I'm off to think about sorting dinner and picking the old man up from the ferry.. Wine later!

See y'all Sunday ..have a good weekend..

bibbitybobbityhat · 11/01/2013 17:53

Non-fast day here and I am going to be eating home-made chicken fajitas with salsa, guacamole, sour cream, grated cheese, fresh coriander and green salad followed by vanilla ice cream and raspberry sorbet - as requested by dd as its her favourite meal and her birthday. And will I worry about eating any of that? Not one tiny jot! I will enjoy it.

pookey · 11/01/2013 17:56

Right Laska Monday it is!

TIP2 I can only really do the froggy front granny style swimming but I guess I would have to just see how it went. I am 34, don't have any diagnosed problem with knees but they went funny when I was doing squat and lift weight and jogging type excersises in the past also carrying my toddler up the stairs can make them go, one popped when I was running up stairs when children ill and took months and months to stop feeling weird. Not hurting at the moment (wonder if 5:2 has helped?) so I can try some keep fit and ease off if they start to hurt. Tried a silver knee band from boots but was too small just felt worse with it on.

hefferlump · 11/01/2013 18:15

LOL thanks Laska42 :-)

bubbles1231 · 11/01/2013 18:26

I've ben doing this for 9 days now and seem to have lost my carb addiction. I used to be a crisp addict but they seem to have lost their appeal, as do biscuits. I'm not minding the feeling of hunger either, even on feeding days, and am less inclined to graze. Long may it continue!

bubbles1231 · 11/01/2013 18:36

Ian Do you think the pepsi max may be an issue with lack of wt loss? I don't know much about it, but there's been talk recently of artificial sweetners messing up insulin metabolism. Is it worth stopping that to see what happens?

On my fast days I drink hot water with a small squeeze of lemon juice if I've run out of calories for tea and coffee.

Iwearblack · 11/01/2013 18:49

Being at peace with hunger is such a relief isn't it bubbles? No longer the horrible fear and the need to panic eat ... I have also lost the 'its lunchtime it must be crisps and a sandwich and a chocolate bar' routine.
Mind you 'it's Friday so it's wine time' is still here! Wine

bubbles1231 · 11/01/2013 19:18

I do miss my "children are in bed" glass of port on fast days!!

cardiffmummy · 11/01/2013 19:48

Week 1 of the new WOE for me. Decided to do a 3rd fast day today to give the weight loss a kick start (hopefully). Have been looking forward to my M&S meal all afternoon, have finally got DS into bed, came down to stick it in the microwave - only to discover its oven cook only for 35 minutes! Sad I know its not that long but it seems so when I've been fasting all day! So distracting myself by catching up on the (many) posts. Sooo looking forward to tomorrow!

Iwearblack · 11/01/2013 20:45

Hope it was worth the wait cardiffmummy! I would have nuked it in the microwave and eaten it all soggy (as dishes tend to go if they are not meant for the microwave).

DeucesRWild · 11/01/2013 20:59

Hi
Im looking at moving into this WoE after an episode of dreaded "norovirus"
Your the most diverse group of intermittant fasters iv found so far.
Has anybody here got any personal experinces with PCOS & IF diets?

Skinnyeye · 11/01/2013 21:06

Hi Losers and happy weekend

Cyclisist I totally agree with your fast day resetting theory I was thinking the same thing today. Yesterday I was feeling miserable having not managed a full 500 fast since early December and after completing a successful fast day ( what was my normal fast day before the holidays!) I feel back in control again and know that I'm back on track. Weigh in this week and lost a pound and a half -not my biggest loss but heading in the right direction for the first time in weeks-- so having a Wine to celebrate Grin. Also cutting myself a bit of slack because I am Scottish so New Year is at least as big if not bigger that Christmas so partied twice as hard as all you non Scots Hmm

French careful with the Wii and drinking I had a baseball incident and shattered a glass of coke with the wiimote. Sent shards of broken glass all over the lounge and coke everywhere Shock

Have planned a good cycle with friends for Sunday [fast day icon] and am starting C25K so hopefully the weather wont be as bad as the forecast suggests.

mamamoomin2 · 11/01/2013 21:20

So....I've been 4:3ing for a week now and just weighed myself and I've lost way more than I've been planning on! 6lbs!?

Now as much as I want this 3 stone off asap...I'm worried its too fast. What do I need to do?

I was super active last week and careful not to exceed 2000 on non days.

pookey · 11/01/2013 21:22

cardiffmummy was it the most delish meal ever when you finally had it.

laska wii and Wine sounds fun - if you have wii fit the start up where you pick your character and do balancing might end up with humorus results done with vino in hand! Reminds me I have zumba for the wii still in its packaging from roundabout last new year Blush maybe I should give it a go next mon.

pookey · 11/01/2013 21:26

mamamoomin that is an amazing result wow - I don't think you need to worry about a one off large weightloss, I would carry on and see how next week goes if you have lost another 6lb then you might want to check you are eating enough on non fast days.

cardiffmummy · 11/01/2013 21:28

Definitely worth the wait! Cod with a bhaji type thing and spicy sauce - yum!! Just going to have a cup of tea and thats my 500 done for the day. But can enjoy weekend now without worrying too much - hooray!!

mamamoomin2 · 11/01/2013 21:30

I'm eating some left over roast cumin cauliflower in celebration! :)

GreenEggsAndNichts · 11/01/2013 22:00

mamamoo don't worry, 6 lbs isn't actual weight lost. A few lbs will be the fact that you're eating so much less, so you don't have as much food going through your system. The first week does often log a bigger than usual loss.

Now, if you drop another 6 lbs next week, well.. what pookey said. :)

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