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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:
Aftereightsarenolongermine · 06/02/2013 22:07

I actually really enjoy the hunger pangs now - it's made me realise it really is only a feeling that comes & goes & does not get worse throughout the day. Drink some water & occupy yourself with something else & you soon forget about it.

I fasted for 24 hours today (except the occasional herbal tea) & I couldn't finish my meal this evening. That happens quite often.

Newlook · 06/02/2013 22:26

I am a new Mumsnet member (today!) and - not having every joined any online forum before - feel quite overwhelmed but excited about all the advice and lovely exchanges on this thread. Thank you. I have been overweight for years I'm mid-forties and have tried WW, R Conley, Lighter Life Light and have a classic history of losing, enjoying the moment (and it is a short moment!) then gaining. I would like to lose 2 stone and KEEP IT OFF. My mum told me about the Fast Diet and I bought the Kindle version of the book which I dipped into today - all VERY interesting and motivating. So, I now need to plan my first few FAST days so I can get in the ingredients. If any one has any tips for a new starter, I would welcome them! thank you and good luck to everyone who is on this journey.

GiraffesEatPineapples · 06/02/2013 22:31

Afraid I have to agree with the others ,as fellow panic eater one of the main attractions of this diet is the liberating realisation that nothing terrible happens if I don't eat breakfast, infact I get more done! I think you will be missing out by rating every hour but why not try both ways and see which suits you best.

GiraffesEatPineapples · 06/02/2013 22:37

Hi new look you don't really need anything special maybe some herbal teas or skimmed milk for normal Tea. It all depends how you plan to split the calories. Good luck :)

Newlook · 06/02/2013 22:43

Thanks GEP - I am sure you are correct. It's self-discipline that I need to buy but I figure that if I get my head into the right place over the next couple of days, I'll be ready to start on Monday, equipped with herbals, skimmed milk and a busy diary! good luck to you too Smile

BsshBossh · 06/02/2013 22:46

nothing terrible happens if I don't eat breakfast, infact I get more done!

I save all my calories for the night-time meal on fast days and on those days my productivity is super high. It's amazing how much work I get done when I don't have to stop and fix myself something to eat.

whethergirl · 06/02/2013 22:56

Welcome Newlook to both mumsnet and this thread! As Dr Mosely says in his book - when to start? Considering all the health benefits, start yesterday!

If I eat breakfast then I definitley eat more duing the rest of the day. But I always forced myself to have breakfast because dieting books made me think that if didn't have breakfast (some even specifiy 'within half an hour of waking') then my metabolism rate is down the pan. And then there's that kellogs advert.

BsshBossh · 06/02/2013 23:02

Welcome NewLook. Biggest tip? Read the OP (original post) and check out all the links there (including the TDEE calculator and Tips). Apologies if you've already done this :)

parrotsandcarsnips · 06/02/2013 23:06

Well it's week 3 of fasting and I have eaten out twice today so feeling very ready for fast day tomorrow. Dh weighed himself today and has gained what he lost but I'm trying to convince him of longer term benefits.
I have had a sore throat and laryngitis and did wonder if efforts at fasting and exercising had made my body object but I'm recovering so back to basics tomorrow.

literarygeek · 06/02/2013 23:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Skinnyeye · 06/02/2013 23:35

Hi All Up to date at last!! I been trying to catch up since thread 10 after a hectic couple of weeks. Great to see so many new faces becoming regulars and sharing their experiences with the new new people Grin

I have lost 24lbs since early September but I can argue the case for a total loss of 33lbs (it was 26lbs at the start of December then I took a fast break for the month of December and put 9 back on Sad. In January I got my act together and have lost 7 of those extra 9 Smile) Anyway been around for a while and not quite ready for maintenance. I am getting close to my original target and very close to the upper end of normal BMI but I am now realising that this target was too low and will continue weigh loss for another few months before joining the maintainers.

Like many others I save my calories for an evening meal of veg and protein and generally spices and chilli. I stay away from carbs and fruit on fast days and switch between 5:2 and 4:3 to fit in with my life. I have also started running and am on week 3 of C25K. My life has totally changed over the last few months and I hardly recognise myself. Christmas taught me that the old me is still in there somewhere and if given the opportunity I will still over eat and snack but fasting has really improved my diet, energy levels and mood. Fasting keeps me focused and helps me to see the difference between mouth hunger and stomach hunger. Fasting, for me is not only a way of eating it is a Way of Life.

Sorry for war and peace but I have been too far behind to post for weeks

Skinnyeye · 06/02/2013 23:40

Bsssh and Galaxy I too suffer with eczema and my skin was completely clear from September to the start of December. Stopped fasting for a month and had the mother of all flare ups which I still can't get under control. Could be a coincidence but I really feel that the 2 things are linked.

GiraffesEatPineapples · 06/02/2013 23:59

Hi skinny eye amazing you have lost another 9lb since Christmas, welcome back Grin

GiraffesEatPineapples · 07/02/2013 00:02

Sorry 7lb but still loads!

charliegreentea · 07/02/2013 01:31

Hi everyone, I've been lurking for a while and have finally taken the plunge! Day one is going well. I had a blueberry smoothie for lunch and am looking forward to a big tuna salad for dinner. I'm in the Southern Hemisphere, so it's a great time to fill up on salads and treat myself with low calorie fruit like melons and berries. I think the WOE will really suit me, as I love food, but think I can cope with restricting myself a few days a week. This forum is awesome - love the positive vibe and all the great advice.

Ezzza · 07/02/2013 02:57

Hi charliegreentea, welcome aboard.

Drmummmsy glad to see you made it over here. Let us know how your first fast day is going. As GiraffesEatPineapples said, maybe you could try your little and often plan for this fast day and try a different way another fast day and see which one you find easiest to get on with.

Some of us on here have found that the best way not to feel too hungry is to start eating as late in the day as possible because once we eat the first mouthful we switch on the hunger.

When I started out doing this I split my calories between breakfast, lunch and dinner. In my case this is because I have a small hunger window in the morning, which if I ignore and don't eat anything during the hunger leaves to be replaced with nausea. Hunger I can ignore, nausea I can't! Don't worry, this isn't a side effect of fasting, it's related to a long term on-going health issue I have.

I've decided that I'd like to be able to eat dinner with my housemate in the evening so I'm gradually reducing the number of times I eat on a fast day. I?m doing this by slowly pushing when I first eat something just a little later each fast day. I?ve now managed to push breakfast into lunch and am currently working on pushing lunch later into the afternoon.

Of course, when you eat your 500 kcal on your fast days are completely up to you. If little and often really does work best for you then go with it.

Aftereightsarenolongermine · 07/02/2013 06:05

Agree to trying different ways till you find the right way for you. I split my 500 calories between 3 meals when I started this, then dropped breakfast & later dropped lunch. I find I sleep better this way (I hate going to bed hungry). You will find a way that works for you but just don't give up if its not straight away.

Salbertina · 07/02/2013 06:14

Agree. I used to do dinner only but tried lunchtime and late lunch only seems to get me thro better. Have v low blood pressure and sometimes feel weird if go all day.

Salbertina · 07/02/2013 06:15

But yes as others said, better to start w 3-meal split

swallowedAfly · 07/02/2013 06:32

ok today is a fast day for me. going to aim to only have two white coffees here this morning and will take herbal teabags to work with me to sip on.

i ate my last food at 8pm last night so aiming to not eat till 3 today - found 16 easy so will try a bit longer. am beginning to think that the reason that i'm not even fatter than i am is that it was quite normal for me to regularly not eat till very late on in the day (and i've had lectures all my life about that being 'bad' for me so it is quite strange to be encouraged to do it).

this is fast number 3. looking forward to weighing myself tomorrow.

happy thursday everyone Smile the weekend is nearly here. has anyone thought about half term next week? i will be off of work except a training day on the tuesday (on which i'll fast) - think i may find it hard to do the other fast at home all day :/

ErikNorseman · 07/02/2013 07:12

Just skipped to the end of the MM book and he includes testimonials from MNers! Have you all seen? He must have been raiding the early threads!

swallowedAfly · 07/02/2013 07:37

ooh wonder if he got permission erik?

ErikNorseman · 07/02/2013 07:40

Lol I doubt he has to. Mumsnet referenced in index!

drmummmsy · 07/02/2013 07:48

oooh that's interesting what you're saying about eating with your flatmate ezzza because my roomie is an impressionable 7 yo girl Wink and i was wondering how i could explain why mummmsy isn't eating dinner with her....so i could do what you do and save calories for dinner time...

anyway i've been up since 6.30 and would normally have had black coffee and two rounds of toast, but nothing today! i also agree with you about not 'switching on' the hunger

the fear i get from hunger is that i feel faint and nauseous whenever i don't eat, i also get incredibly lethargic and grouchy - is this normal??

Newlook · 07/02/2013 07:53

Thank you BsshBossh and whethergirl and hello everyone - I will explore the links today - kept getting thrown out of the Fast Diet website yesterday - I was looking for comprehensive list of calorie counted recipes. How are you getting on?
Just to say - it was really great knowing I could log on and check in this morning; I have a good feeling that your thread (mine too now!) will be a huge support. Have a good day!