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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.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

5:2 Diet Thread! Perfect number 10!

999 replies

GreenEggsAndNichts · 20/01/2013 15:24

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.

Michael Mosley has recently unveiled a new website to accompany his new book on the subject. Please go check them out, as he's the whole reason most of us are here!

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:
encyclogirl · 25/01/2013 19:55

Evening all, feeling tip top towards the end of my second fast day.

sticky I haven't had the shivers but I got a whopping headache for about an hour in the late afternoon. Mind you I was mainlining coffee all day. Hunger not an issue yet though.

BetsyVanBell · 25/01/2013 20:01

Greeneggs thank you, I will go with the flow and not just mindlessly eat breakfast. Before Christmas I'd reduced what a 'big' meal was but I guess I manage to stretch my stomach again over the festive period and forgotten that perhaps I may have shrunk it again! I do have issues with my brain not telling me I'm full for a good 20 minutes and although I know this I forget to slow down when I'm eating. Ah well, we live and learn, I've noted it in my food diary so perhaps I'll remember next time it's a carb-tastic dinner!

Chippychop · 25/01/2013 20:06

I am so confused with all the (wonderful) info on here..am I doing it right?

I started 5:2 this week and have just competed my second fast day (500 each day). I start my fasting at 2pm.

As soon as 2pm at the end of the fast I eat something (today was a muffin and butter) however I don't think I've eaten more than usual so far....is this ok or should l be waiting until my tea time to eat again?

Why do some people do 4:3 and others 5:2 is it just to speed up the process

Realistically when does weight start to come off and stay off? After 2,3,4 weeks or what?

Where can I find a synopsis of all the health benefits?

Thx all
Are there any key do's and dont's?

ladymuckbeth · 25/01/2013 20:08

Another one here who didn't lose weight BFing - despite having twins. Might have had something to do with the twenty bowls of muesli I ate every day though... Hmm

I'm feeling a bit guilty, as I'm on my 2nd 'eat' day in a row (fasted Monday and Wednesday), although I did manage MFP today. I've eaten pretty well, not excessively, but am now sitting here with a glass of wine and the rest and we've the weekend ahead too. I think I'll stick with 5:2 for now but will probably edge towards 4.5:2.5 or 4:3 soon enough. I've got a good 3 stone to lose overall, 2 to be happy. I've got to get into exercise, but struggling to want to do anything that requires wearing less than three jumpers at the moment...

phlebas · 25/01/2013 20:21

the only time I have lost significant weight while breastfeeding was while I was tandem feeding ds1 & dd2 & pregnant with ds2 ... I'm not sure I'd recommend it!

I lost 1.5kg this week - did proper fasts on Wednesday & Thursday and a low calorie day on Monday to make up for eating out twice at the weekend. I've lost 6kg since Christmas (but a chunk of that was weight that I'd put on over the extended celebrations!).

Today had turned out to be pretty high calorie (dh is opening a bottle of wine & producing a tiramisu as I write) so I think I'm going to do 4:3 this week ... I really want to see that back of the 80s as quickly as possible.

BetsyVanBell · 25/01/2013 20:25

ladymuckbeth Wait till the weather improves before getting into exercise - early spring is delightfully motivating! When I'm getting into a new regime I always prefer to get the eating sorted and then think about exercise. Last spring I got into running via the couch to 5k programme - I never ever ever thought I'd be into running but now I can't wait for the snow to bugger off so I can get out there again! Part of it is definitely about being outdoors and alone with my thoughts ipod. Unfortunately the running didn't transform my body as I hoped it would but I did get fitter and therefore presumably healthier and that's what really counts isn't it? However, running may not be ideal when your breastfeeding - ouch! But even a bit of brisk outdoor walking will make you feel better and is great exercise.

Don't feel guilty about your eating days. The whole point of this way of eating is that you don't have to feel guilty any more Grin. I'll bet if you just keep with the programme for 6 months you'll lose 2 of those 3 stone - I found keeping a food diary helps too (I use google docs) and it's also a great resource for looking back for meal ideas!

phlebas · 25/01/2013 20:26

Chippychop the way I do it is too have 500 calories in a 24 hour period - so after I've have dinner on the eating day (6 o'clock or whatever) I eat nothing else that day & then from the time I wake up until I go to bed on the following fast day I only have 500 calories. Apart from milk in coffee I tend to save all my calories for one meal in the evening. If the next day is an eating day I generally don't get hungry until lunch time so skip breakfast then have lunch then dinner as usual.

cardiffmummy · 25/01/2013 20:30

Just coming to the end of a fast day and have found it the hardest one so far. Have considered giving up several times today but have persevered and now dinner is in the oven [bgrin]. its the third fast of the week but went out for a three course meal last night (and a little Wine...), and out again tomorrow night on a "Christmas do" so hoping the fasts will counteract this overindulgence!!

Iwearblack · 25/01/2013 20:40

Well done for sticking to it cardiffmummy. It always feels fab when you don't falter even if it has been tough.
My DP has started the WOE too and he has 6 stone to lose (ouch I know). Hope he sees some loss soon to keep motivated!

TickledOnion · 25/01/2013 20:56

I'm thinking of starting the 5 2 diet this monday but have a few questions. (Sorry if they have been answered already).

  1. Do you factor in snacks on fast days? Or just stick to drinks?
  2. Which foods are most filling for fewest calories?
  3. Most of the recipes I have seen are mostly veg, then protein, then fat and lastly carbs. Is there any reason to avoid carbs? Is there any reason to eat fat?
  4. Am I overthinking this?

Thanks.

ladymuckbeth · 25/01/2013 21:04

Thanks Betsy :) I did the C25K too, about 5 years ago, and loved it - although agree, it didn't make any difference to my body or weight loss. Nothing quite beats that buzz though. I'm not breastfeeding my girls any more though - they're three now!

You're right though - best get my head around fasting in general, and then incorporate exercise. (And I'm not just saying that because it means I can continue to do feck all... Grin)

BetsyVanBell · 25/01/2013 21:09

tickledonion

In my limited experience (4 fasts on a 5:2)

  1. I sometimes need a snack (dried fruit/nuts), I drink pots and pots of herbal tea
  2. Veg and loads of it, prawns
3.Carbs can make you feel hungrier more quickly, less satisfying in the long run and calorific. Fats can eat into your calorie allowance very quickly!

Hope that helps...

sarajaynevz · 25/01/2013 21:11

TickledOnion-I'm not big into recipes and keep my fasting days really simple. I love eating light soups (I've found several canned varieties under 100 calories a serving), things like rice cakes, pickles, hard boiled eggs and if I'm feeling really lazy I'll throw a low calorie frozen entree in the microwave :) I've found quite a few in the 200-300 calorie range that are quite filling. I also have to have at least one cup of diet hot cocoa on my fasting days-20 calories and gives me a bit of warmth, to fight off the cold (I do not drink coffee).

BetsyVanBell · 25/01/2013 21:13

I'm always fond of the easier option ladymuck! Sorry about the bf assumption - just saw it mentioned in your post and winced to myself as I mentioned running [bshock]

GiraffesEatPineapples · 25/01/2013 22:47

Nicnac58 i haven't done well with finding the recent discussion about why weightloss can be slow for the first month. I think maybe laska provided a useful link... I previously posted this (a couple of months ago):

From the fast 5 website (a woe that involves eating within a 5 hour window and fasting for 19 hours):
"Expect zero weight loss in the first three weeks, which is the adjustment phase. You may even see weight gain during this period due to compensatory overeating. Weight measurement during this time is not recommended, but many people can?t resist, so don?t expect a loss. Three weeks after starting the Fast-5 program, you should see an average of a pound per week loss. That means over the course of four weeks, you should see four pounds lost, but the loss may not be evenly spread from week to week; it can be two pounds one week, none the next, then two again, and so on.
Some people see more rapid weight loss, even in the first three weeks. That?s not a problem, but may not be seen by everyone, and is less likely for someone who?s already been maintaining a low-carb diet. An early loss of several pounds early is likely to be mostly water, so if you see a large early loss, do not expect to see the same rate in later weeks"

I'm not sure if they explain why the body needs to adjust before losing weight but I think laska explained that that the body sometimes holds on to water while it is losing fat?

Sorry not terribly helpful but I think basically not losing weight in the first month does not mean we are not losing fat!

BlackMaryJanes · 25/01/2013 23:29

Ok guys I'm going to give this diet a go, starting in the morning. But can you answer two questions please:

  1. Can the fast days be spread out? For example, Saturday and Tuesday?
  1. I breastfeed my 13 months old 3 times a day. Will fasting effect this in any way?

Thanks people!

Breadandwine · 25/01/2013 23:48

Glad to see you over here, BMJ!

I've always fasted on Monday's and Wednesday's - but you can fast on any day to suit yourself. Some posters do them consecutively - I'm too soft for that.

I don't bf myself Grin, but I've seen quite a few posters on these threads saying it doesn't affect them at all.

Take some time to have a good look through the Tips and Links thread - there's loads of good info on there.

Good luck!

literarygeek · 25/01/2013 23:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mumrunner · 26/01/2013 00:37

GreenEggs the leather trousers was one expensive purchase that I can't bear give away when I got bigger so it was hidden at the back of my wardrobe in case I loss weight. Thanks to this WOE I finally loss the excess weight I was carrying for over 10 years!!!

BlackMaryJanes · 26/01/2013 00:47

Thanks so much guys. I'm excited! :D (So much so that I'm staying up past midnight to research the diet! I can't help myself!)

literarygeek - very comforting to hear that the diet didn't effect your BFing (and your nursling is half the age of mine). That's a relief.

Breadandwine · 26/01/2013 01:08

AND I'd ALWAYS eat a whole large pizza .. in fact I'd buy us all one each on a pizza night.. We don't do that any more ..Actually I've not had a pizza since starting this WOE but I'd buy 2 for the 4 of us (grown up kids) if we were all here eating together and that would be probably more than enough

Laska (and GreenEggs and Giraffe and Betsy) the fellow feeling I have for other pizza lovers has given me the impetus to post a calorie counted cheese and tomato pizza recipe on the recipe thread. At 910 cals for the whole pizza, 304c for 1/3rd and 228c for a quarter, you can incorporate it into either a non-fasting day or indeed, into a fasting day!

And using basic ingredients, the cost comes in under 60p at today's prices!

You cannot resist!

BlackMaryJanes · 26/01/2013 01:16

Mmmmmm I am SO having pizza on my first feed day!!

catsrus · 26/01/2013 03:13

Quick easy low cal pizza - use a small wholemeal tortilla wrap as the base, thin smear of tomato sauce/paste - pile high with veggies, sprinkle of cheese. 5-8 mins in a hot oven on a rack if possible so the underneath gets crispy. Yum.

Incadreams · 26/01/2013 06:30

Good morning all, so yesterday was meant to be a fast day, but it was burns night so it wasn't going to be quite a fast day!

However, it went a bit wrong!!!! I ate nothing all day until dinner and then had haggis lasagne with garlic dough balls and salad... And a large glass of wine, then for pudding I had a small slice of cheesecake and some ice cream, then a second helping of cheesecake and honeycomb ice cream and then later that evening I had a third helping!!! Oops!!!

Oh well! Dreading the weigh in on Monday! If I haven't put on any weight this week ill be amazed!!! I've over eaten on non fast days so badly as well!!!

frenchfancy · 26/01/2013 07:36

Grin for the first time since having DCs I am now a normal BMI Grin. Given that DD1 is 13 it has taken me rather a long time but thanks to 5:2 I got there in the end. (OK the last 1lb has come off thanks to the flu but I've reached it so that's what counts)

Still got another 7lbs to lose before I reach my goal.