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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! Going up to 11!

999 replies

GreenEggsAndNichts · 29/01/2013 13:17

The continuing thread for those of us following either the 5:2 diet or the alternate-day fasting diet.

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, or approximately your TDEE (see explanation below). 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 for a woman, 600 for a man, on those days.

You'll find on these threads we use a number of acronyms. If you're new to the threads, or Mumsnet in general, they might not make much sense.

WOE/WOL = Way Of Eating/Way Of Life. We use this term instead of "diet" as many of us see this as something to do in the long term.

MFP = My Fitness Pal, a website many use for keeping track of the number of calories they're eating.

TDEE = Total Daily Energy Expenditure, 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.

ADF = Alternate-day Fasting, as it says on the tin, fasting every other day rather than 5:2.

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!

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%).")

Something to consider 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.

Another food link, here is a link to the BBC Good Food site, with a list of low-calorie soups.

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:
frenchfancy · 31/01/2013 11:51

I disagree partly with B+W. I prefer to have a 450-500 cal meal, than to have a 300 cal one with some pudding.

There is a lot more choice for meals if you go up to 500 cals. There are already some ideas on the recipe thread, but for more try:

www.eatingwell.com/blogs/diet_blog/delicious_500_calorie_dinners_to_help_you_lose_weight

www.delish.com/recipes/best-recipes/low-calorie-recipes

www.hairybikers.com/recipes

thekingfisher · 31/01/2013 11:52

Anyone else find that they are peeing loads...honestly I haven't eaten yet today but am drinking a lot of very dilute elderflower and honestly its like 1 sip in and I need the loo again...

My bladder is poor at the best of times (although thats another thread!) though this is ridiculous!

milkshake3 · 31/01/2013 11:58

Any views on whether I'd be mad to do bikram yoga on a fast day?!

rosemarysage · 31/01/2013 11:58

Ladymuckbeth, don't get disheartened! Most of us put up a few pounds during the week of our period (I usually have an increase of about 3 pounds that week, but sometimes up to 5 pounds). I skip weighing myself once my period starts, or once I feel myself bloating before it starts, as the weight is all over the place that week. See what your weight is once the period is over for a day or so (my weight often takes a day or so after it has stopped to come down again) and then decide.

I don't calorie count on non-fast days, though I have done some 4:3 weeks, but you might be doing fine on 5:2, just that your period is masking it.

frenchfancy · 31/01/2013 12:05

One more for you if you use pinterest

pinterest.com/womansday/dinners-under-500-calories/

BsshBossh · 31/01/2013 12:12

Dotty342kids I think alot of people can't cope with waiting so long to eat their 500 cals so they eat it spread out during the day. This is fine for weight loss but in order to get the best benefits of fasting (not just weight loss) you need to hae your 500 cals in a single meal. My example is this:

Sunday night (non-fast day) Last meal (dinner including pudding) finished by 8.30pm. Stop eating.
Monday (fast day) No eating until 8.30pm where I consume 500 cals for dinner (including pudding). Stop eating.
Tuesday (non-fast day) Eat as normal.

spongebobsquareeyes · 31/01/2013 12:18

Hi, I've not read the full thread yet but am really interested in trying this out. I can maintain reducing calories for a couple of days but then go on an all out binge. I think if I was to do this diet I would probably manage the fasting days knowing I could eat normally the next day!

Will read the thread later on today when I get a chance, just wanted to pop in and say hello :)

ladymuckbeth · 31/01/2013 12:19

Thanks for the support rosemarysage and Breadandwine - I don't find the fast days too onerous but know that psychologically it's important for me to feel good about the non-fast days, otherwise this is just going to feel too restrictive. Hence my reluctance to get all vigilant and use MFP all day, every day...

Am going to keep going though, I think deep down I'm just hoping that I don't need to do low-carb as well as the 5:2 in order to lose weight. Having low-carbed for a long time, I'm really enjoying the feeling that I can eat alongside my family and am making more effort to cook interesting meals for the children because I know us adults will be eating them too Blush

herbaceous · 31/01/2013 12:25

Thanks for the 500cal links Frenchfancy! I would indeed rather have a big dinner, than a little dinner and a pudding. I haven't got that much of a sweet tooth, and am trying to knock it out altogether!

I can't look at the recipes in any detail now, though, as they make me too hungry!

mumofcrazynamedkids · 31/01/2013 12:48

hi all, just wanted to pop in and say hello, i seem to manage one post per thread at the moment, they are moving so fast! no chance of reading all to catch up at the moment.

Life very busy, managed to fast last week, but this week I tried yesterday, got to the evening and then realised the stress of desperately trying to get my house on the market by Saturday (estate agents coming to photograph then) looking after 2 children (who constantly mess as quickly as I can paint/clean/tidy one room, they mess up another) and look for a new job, new home work out how i'm going to move us half way up the country and when to tell my boss.....aagghhhh

ie stress and lots of it, made me last night go, sod it, I'm hungry, irritable and in normal bmi (thanks to 5:2), so if I take a few weeks off or just manage 1 fast every now and then, that's fine. I know it works and I can do it, but i needed food last night.

but good news is Decree Absolute came through last week, so I had some champagne and I feel like progress is being made.

sorry for many of you lovely new peeps you won't have a clue what I am on about and so apologies for being totally off topic, but maybe it's helpful to know that life can get in teh way sometimes and I think this is a WOE that you can step in and out of, would be interesting to know how it would affect the health benefits though.

Dotty342kids · 31/01/2013 13:11

Thanks for explanation BssBossh, very helpful.
I'm quite looking forward to starting this. Got a friend coming over tomorrow who's doing it so will talk to her, discuss best days / ways of doing this with DH who may do it alongside me and take it from there.
Will def use this thread though as you all seem very lovely and helpful Grin

BsshBossh · 31/01/2013 13:14

Nice to be doing it with a friend Dotty342kids. And even better if your DH can join you.

kiwigirl42 · 31/01/2013 13:26

Hello everyone and welcome new fasters. Just have faith that it does work and don't overthink things - 2 days a week only eat 500 cal. No other rules.

However there are lots of interesting tweaks with some research which you can use once you get into the swing of things.

well done rosemarysage you must be delighted. I can't wait to get down to goal weight. I already feel so much thinner though

lirael · 31/01/2013 13:42

Apologies if this has been answered before on the other threads - haven't had time to read them all.

I an fasting Tues and Thurs and finding the Thurs much harder. Today I am lightheaded, tired and 'foggy' brained, though it's been better since I ate lunch. Also finding it hard to sleep on the Tues, Weds and Thurs nights. Has anyone else found this and does it get better?

Must add that I am also perimenopausal, which could account for a lot...

64zoolane · 31/01/2013 14:03

Total newbie here saying hi! Came to netmums because many of the comments in the book were from here, so I figured it would be a good place to get support and tips.

It's my second fast today (My first was on Tuesday and I'm still reading the book) and I am finding it VERY hard. It's lunchtime at work and everyone around me is eating eating eating. Sad

Look forward to reading all the other sections mentioned in the sticky.

Snowkey · 31/01/2013 14:04

virginposter the link you posted turned out to be more useful than you imagine.

I have been having dizzy spells when I stand up and these feel particularly bad on fasting days - was pondering the cause, googling etc and then I read your article - not the one about the Doctor not wanting to take statins because they didn't work but further down the article there was a doctor who wouldn't take ibuprofen because it caused dizziness - I've been taking loads due to an aching shoulder. Immediately I stopped and I already feel 100% better today, what a difference, I've never had a reaction on them before but sometimes you just develop a sensitivity. Will use heat for shoulder pain in future so Thanks Thanks Thanks you've made me a happy healthier woman!!

kiwigirl42 · 31/01/2013 14:18

lireal - it does get better. Make sure you are drinking enough fluids. A salty hot drink like Marigold buillion stock powder in water or a cup a soup can really help as it tops up your sodium etc levels.

snowkey - glad you sorted out your dizziness

cardiffmummy · 31/01/2013 14:41

Fast day for me and finding it hard going. Haven't eaten anything so far and trying to drink plenty to stop me thinking about food! At home with DS this afternoon so not especially busy which is not helping! Might have to get the vacuum out or something! DS currently tucking into a humpty dumpty biscuit from the bakers!! But its OK I can have one tomorrow...!!! (think might find a better option if I do decide I need cake/biscuit tomorrow).

lirael · 31/01/2013 14:56

Thanks Kiwigirl - have been drinking loads and not peeing as much as I would expect, so wonder if I am a bit dehydrated.

64zoolane · 31/01/2013 15:01

You know, cardiffmummy, after fasting for the first time on Tuesday, yesterday I hardly went mental at all. In fact I ate fewer biscuits and chocolates than I usually do (they are my Achilles' heel) and even ignored some chocolate cake we have in the house because I didn't really feel like it, It was amazing - I don't expect it to last, but it was amazing.

Does anyone else get a blocked nose?

catsrus · 31/01/2013 15:17

dotty I'm pretty sure I've never gone. 24 hrs without food since starting this in August, I often go over 500 cals on a fast day and I've lost 25lbs. My BMI is around 20.

Just start gently and do as much as you can - you will find fasting easier as you get used to it - do what works for you. When I started I ate 3 meals a day, then 2 and now one. I do go for about 20 hrs sometimes without solid food - but that is only because I now find that's easy to do:)

GiraffesEatPineapples · 31/01/2013 15:34

Mumofcrazynamedkids glad things are getting sorted for you. Even a tiny bit of stress can make me head for the biscuit tin so you have done amazingly. By the way do I remember you from a money saving thread-this woe is perfect for economising as opposed to low carbing say!

whethergirl · 31/01/2013 15:45

Hello, it's my first fasting day today. I've only had a coffee, 2 cups tea, a bannana and an apple so far. And i swear i'm not hungry. This is bloody amazing for me, normally I can't stop eating all day long. Planning to have some soup later but really impressed with how I can actually not eat - always thought I couldn't help it.

herbaceous · 31/01/2013 15:47

I must say, trying to not eat until dinner is blasted hard. And miso soup only does so much. But I'm looking forward to my baked potato and beans soooooooooo much!

tomorrowweeat · 31/01/2013 15:55

On fast days I find myself lusting after such delights as sticky toffee pudding and scones with cream. "Tomorrow" I promise myself. The strange thing is the next day I find I want much healthier options. Today for instance I no longer wanted the doughnut I had promised myself whilst fasting yesterday but really fancied grilled peppers, ham and artichokes. Very odd (but in a good way!)

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