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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.

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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:
McGloom · 28/01/2013 13:10

Green Eggs for me I'd still struggle at the Chinese as I'd be thinking I wasn't getting the best value for money! That's my real problem with all-you-can-eat buffets, tightness kicks in student-style, even though it should have worn off from more than 10 years ago!

Ezzza speaking of China, sorry to go off topic but I'm really interested in your experience. How long have you been there, what have you been doing, how have you found it, are you looking forward to coming back, and do you think you'd ever go back there, or are you planning a different destination in the future? And to tie it back in to the topic, what are you looking forward to most on your eating days when you get back??!

...I am so impressed you've managed this WOE over there, not least because of the language barrier (unless you speak Chinese?). Though I suppose that's another advantage of the fasting- because it only involves abstaining, you don't need a long detailed list of specific foods available to you. Go 5:2!!

ayshigirl · 28/01/2013 13:43

Sorry but I'm new to this and the term WOE is putting me off! WHEEEE (Way of happy eating) perhaps?

Jobyloo · 28/01/2013 13:43

Hi peeps I'm going against the trend and not fasting. I fasted yesterday. Having healthy meals today and definitely not snacking! really chuffed have lost 11lbs now and been doing 4:3 for the last four weeks. Was planning on dropping to 5:2 at the end of Jan but haven't found 4:3 difficult so think I will carry on until at least half term.

What will be interesting is when I reintroduce Wine. have been 'dry' in Jan so this Friday have got a nice bottle of fizz to glug share with OH Grin

Maniac think it was you that posted about Clipper Sleep Easy tea - I absolutely adore it and it's become my new favourite too

Iwearblack · 28/01/2013 13:46

ayshigirl yes the 16 hrs does include sleep (thank goodness!)

ayshigirl · 28/01/2013 13:50

thanks Iwearblack, maybe I should go and have a long nap!

kiwigirl42 · 28/01/2013 13:54

I must admit that I did stay in bed until 1pm on Sunday as it was a fast day and it was much easier to sleep than to not eat!

GreenEggsAndNichts · 28/01/2013 13:55

McGloom I do know the feeling of wanting to get value out of the buffet. It was always a downfall for me previously. Nowadays, we go to the buffet more because DS loves it and buffet-style is the easiest way to feed him in a restaurant (no long waits for food, and a nice variety of items). If I were alone or with DH, I would be very satisfied with just ordering a la carte. (And this from someone who could really pack food away once upon a time. I'm not saying it out of blissful delusion of short term diet progress- I physically feel terrible now if my stomach gets over-full.)

ayshigirl LOL whatever works Grin

OP posts:
TalkinPeace2 · 28/01/2013 13:58

Greeneggs
I always go 'set menu' in a Chinese restaurant - as then the portions are controlled, the courses are balanced flavour wise and the food keeps coming while you chat ...

virginposter · 28/01/2013 14:02

A bit of information but right off topic. There is a Dispatches prog on Tonight at 8.00 p.m called 'Weight Watchers - how they make their money. Channel 4.
I know that there are quite a few ex W.W who might find it interesting.

literarygeek · 28/01/2013 14:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GreenEggsAndNichts · 28/01/2013 14:11

TiP I probably would do at the local Thai place, but with this particular restaurant, it's actually cheaper to get the buffet on Sundays. The regular menu is quite pricey and the portions wouldn't actually be smaller than what I ate, myself. I just kept the Jasmine tea flowing. :)

virgin ooh! I'll be sure to record it, thanks for the heads up.

OP posts:
Snowkey · 28/01/2013 14:35

Dh and I share courses when we go out - often we'll split one starter and pud between us, we also have a habit of sharing our meals - we like to get a taste of everything. Have never found buffets particularly good value, you don't get food freshly cooked to order and it encourages you to over eat. Often find just ordering what you will eat from the menu is much better value for money. Set meals are often too large as well. Our aim is always to order just enough food and no more, we ask the staff how much food they recommend....and they are normally surprisingly conservative in their recommendation suggesting we can order more if need be.

Skinidin · 28/01/2013 14:51

My first post on Mumsnet!

I have been fasting since the beginning of December (with 3 weeks off around Xmas:().

I have now lost 15 lbs. Only another 3 stones to go !

What I like about this WOE is the way you can tailor it to what's going on at any given time. If its inconvenient I change the days. If I've had a blowout I do AD for a while.

Going to London for a week day after tomorrow, guess I won't be fasting then.

Will just get back on track when I go home.

I've read all the other threads and I've found them incredibly informative and supportive.

Thanks :)

Aftereightsarenolongermine · 28/01/2013 14:58

Meant to add that I think I've plateaued last few weeks have ranged between 11.6 & 11.10 despite that I need to lose another 1&half stone to get into normal bmi. Will carry on & see what next few weeks bring in terms of weight loss.

virginposter · 28/01/2013 15:08

aftereights me too the past 2 weeks. Am trying 4:3 this week hoping to start it again. It's worked before but I guess with only a few lbs to go it's to be expected.

GreenEggsAndNichts · 28/01/2013 15:09

hah I can't say much more about the buffet option, other than it suits DS and DH in particular loves having a big selection of items. The food at this particular place is nice. We alternate between personal preferences when we do Sunday lunch out- DH usually wants a buffet (and has no weight problems ofc) I typically prefer the Italian restaurant with the wood-fired pizzas. Buffets weren't something I visited often at all before I married him. :)

Skinidin welcome to MN and this thread! Congratulations on your loss so far! Grin

aftereights good idea to stick with it.. I did, and am finally losing again. Have changed from 4:3 to 5:2 + a half-fast day, which seems to have helped shake things up a bit.

OP posts:
Aftereightsarenolongermine · 28/01/2013 15:19

Actually in thinking about it body fat % down whereas weight up so not a total disaster! But even if I don't lose any more weight the health benefits are so worth it. But obviously not allowed to fast this week due to op. lovely private hospital (thanks to DHs work insurance) so going to make most of pampering food etc, though a spa weekend would have been preferable Grin

Not stopping me mumsnetting though even though am on a drip.....

literarygeek · 28/01/2013 15:27

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Aftereightsarenolongermine · 28/01/2013 15:45

Oh yes! Amazing what one can do when recovering from a general anasthetic when you put your mind to it....

frenchfancy · 28/01/2013 16:01

Hope the OP went ok Aftereights

I abandoned my normal Monday fast today. I'm still getting over the flu so haven't eaten well over the last few days. Made it back to work today but felt dizzy so decided to eat. I'm pretty sure it was due to the flu rather than lack of food but I thought I'd be sensible. Feel a bit better now. I can't believe how long flu takes to get over.

swallowedAfly · 28/01/2013 16:05

hello - hope you don't mind me jumping on here.

bit confused. the studies linked to seem to show that fasting is really not good for women yet this is a thread advocating fasting? i'm lost sorry.

can anyone explain to me why despite it apparently being unbeneficial to women to fast you are doing IF?

maniacbug · 28/01/2013 16:19

Jobyloo I'm having a dry January too and had actually forgotten that it's Feb on Friday - thanks for reminding me! I've found it easy this year, possibly because I'm focussing more on 5:2.
Last year it was a real struggle, and I remember the first weekend in Feb we were also celebrating getting planning permission and got a bit silly on sloe gin/cava cocktails, and then, unaccustomed to giddiness, I went and almost sliced my thumb off when chopping cabbage for tea. (It didn't stop bleeding for about 3 days: arrghh, can still remember the pain.) So enjoy your fizz but go easy around the sharp kitchen implements!!

Aftereightsarenolongermine · 28/01/2013 16:21

Thanks for everyone's good wishes op went well will get biopsy results in a couple of weeks but doc seems to think tumour benign so fingers & everything else crossed.

Will let someone else answer questions - brain a bit fuddled today....

BetsyVanBell · 28/01/2013 16:28

Does anyone know if the calorie content of wine changes if you use it in a recipe that involves sone furious boiling?

literarygeek · 28/01/2013 16:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.