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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:
Snowkey · 07/02/2013 08:35

Dr M requested permission from the mumsnetters quoted in the book, not sure if he requested permission from the powers that be though.

BetsyVanBell · 07/02/2013 08:36

drmummmsy 500 calories can be more food than you think depending on what you eat so you could have nibbles through the day - raw carrot sticks, celery, low cal crackers, berries etc and still have enough for a sizeable and healthy meal to eat with your daughter - a big veg soup with some prawns or a pile of salad and a salmon fillet (i've put a recipe up on the recipes page, linked to in the OP above, for a huge plate of tasty veg, salad & salmon which is only 250 calories). Once you take away the sugars and starchy carbs you can actually eat quite a lot!

Oh and drink loads - herbal tea, black coffee, water with lemon - whatever you like best and that can go quite a long way to fighting the nausea. But do start out eating 3 small meals (or whatever) and see how you go, you might surprise yourself. Smile

BetsyVanBell · 07/02/2013 08:40

Hello Newlook - Monday is a great day to start - loads of us fast on Mondays so come on here and let us know how you're getting on Smile

64zoolane · 07/02/2013 08:44

Yes, ErikNorseman, I saw that too. I did assume they'd have got permission.

Fast no 4 for me today. Good luck to everyone else who is fasting!

drmummmsy I also get nauseous when hungry. And grouchy, especially with anyone or anything who stands between me and my food when it is time to have it.

Fanjounchained · 07/02/2013 08:45

I've had a terrible week, had a bad infection and been on 4 lots of antibiotics...I've been swaying between eating very little or eating anything that isn't a nailed down...Blush.

A very, very strange thing happened to me on Tuesday night (historically my night for a "wee" treat). I automatically went to buy some chocolate and then thought "I don't even want this..." So I put it back !!! This WOE is doing funny things to my head...

lirael · 07/02/2013 08:46

Am getting fed up because my weight just seems to drop after fast days, then go back again afterwards. I've been following this WOE for almost three weeks now and have lost 1 kg, but only when I weigh myself after my fast days. On the other days I've put the kilo back on again. Am being careful on other days and eating 1500 (calorie limit given by MFP).

I am 52 and weight is becoming increasingly hard to lose - if I'd done this ten years ago the weight would have dropped off!

Bramblesinafield · 07/02/2013 08:51

Morning all. I wonder if I could dip in to share your knowledge. I've been finding out interestedly and hope to give it a go. I think my best days are Mon Thurs, but given that I've already consumed 250cals and a cuppa for breakfast, today might not be the best start day.

Could you help me with some good breakfast suggestions for vegetarians who are egg intolerant?! Yoghurt is fine.

I'll probably be fine on soup for lunch and something lentilly for supper but need a little something to line my stomach in the mornings.

dalek · 07/02/2013 09:05

I have now done 4 fast days but I have still not lost anything. What am I doing wrong? I eat normally on non fast days and stick to less than 500 calories on fast days. Possibly don't drink enough on fast days but I do count the milk calories in my tea. Help please

Ezzza · 07/02/2013 09:17

lirael, it's possible you need to eat more on non-fast days. Remember the principle of this is 500 kcal on fast days and normal eating on non-fast days. Normal eating means not bingeing, but not dieting either.

When you signed uo to MFP did you say you wanted to lose weight or stay the same weight? If you said you wanted to lose weight then the 1500 kcal limit it gave you is a diet level of calorie intake and you should probably eat more than that on your non-fast days.

If you feel like you need a calorie guideline for how much to eat on non-fast days then follow the link in the OP and work out your TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure), which is roughly what your body needs in order to stay the same weight, or put another way a normal amount of food for you to eat. Personally though, I prefer not to count calories at all on non-fast days and just enjoy the freedom to eat what I want to.

Do stick with it, some people have found the weight hasn't come off for the first few weeks but it started to come off later.

ManVsFoodRocks · 07/02/2013 09:42

literarygeek it wasn't the walnuts so much as the fact I'd had butter and olive oil and parmesan and walnuts^ all in one dish - followed by mascarpone Grin. I am just trying to find a balance between feeling liberated and free to enjoy the kind of cooking that would have felt wicked to me before, and just eating like a Roman emperor Confused Totally agree they look like brains!

Skinny that's SUCH an encouraging thing to read! Well done indeed!

I'm so interested to hear about the effects of this WOE on excema. I've never had it but DH does when very stressed. And I have a fairly bad complexion and am kinda of hoping it will clear up.

Fast day today! Aiming to go until about 1-2pm before having something to eat, which will be a full fast of 17-18 hours. Going to have 2 meals - 1 slice of pumpernickel and an apple, and then a bowl of veggie curry with a hardboiled egg and a piece of fruit....

ManVsFoodRocks · 07/02/2013 09:43

dalek that must be frustrating (and I'm dreading finding the same). I did hear that the weight loss benefits off this WOE are greater if you have more to lose - how's your BMI?? It might be that you're getting the health benefits but don't need to lose weight? Just a thought!

cardiffmummy · 07/02/2013 09:45

Fasting today and pleased to say that I wasn't hungry when I woke up - despite my binge yesterday!! Didn't venture anywhere near the scales though. Going to the dentist tomorrow for a root canal Sad so will have a numb mouth for several hours - so thinking might try a semi-fast and not eat until the evening. Hopefully doing 4.5:2.5 will counteract any damage done from my non-fast days!! Have a great day everyone Smile.

ManVsFoodRocks · 07/02/2013 09:48

BTW Brambles (sorry just saw your post) I'm a big fan of pumpernickel bread for this WOE (and generally) - one slice is 90cals, and because it's so dense and nutty it's really sustaining. That plus an apple is a nice breakfast.

artemis17 · 07/02/2013 09:51

Hi all, 2nd fast day for me, finding it fairly easy at the mo, but like someone else said, i rarely eat before 1pm anyway, its the eves that are my piggy time so by doing 5-2 on the days i have fitness classes i get through lol.
I'm not overweight tho want to lose about 7lbs, (dont have scales so will have to trek to Boots to check) so dont expect to lose very quickly, its the other health benefits im hoping to get. However i am feeling cold, even with 3 layers and a warm office my feet/hands are sufferring?. Im drinking hot water with a slice of lemon in, cant say its yummy though!.

mamamoomin2 · 07/02/2013 10:08

Hope everyone fasting today has a good one :)

My fast yesterday was great. Help off happily till dinner and made a surprisingly low cal Thai green prawn and veg curry! Cleared the garden to keep busy in the day, which was a workout in itself.

Not fasting today bit hoping to take it steady as stuffed my face on last eat day. Still need to work on better overall control but am getting there.

Newlook · 07/02/2013 10:29

Thanks BetstVanBell - Monday is when I shall have my first FAST day - looking forward to it already, if apprehensive Hmm

ayshigirl · 07/02/2013 10:35

Hi, I posted this yesterday but then lost my post...any stats geniuses out there please? I bought new digital scales and weighed myself at the start of this (ahem) diet a few weeks back but accidentally selected the 'male' option so it was showing my body fat to be v low when it's in fact at the top of the range for me I;ve corrected the setting to female now but how do i recalculate what it was to begin with?

I know the scales aren't 100% accurate but I want to chart my overall loss so would appreciate any pointers please Smile

BetsyVanBell · 07/02/2013 10:44

Fasting today - my cold has turned into the uber-snot phase so although I tried to do a bit of Davina workout I had to give up after 20mins before I drowned! Better than nothing I suppose. I don't really lose poundage unless I do some exercise on fast days, even though I have quite an energetic job, and even before I started fasting I would exercise before having breakfast so I'm used to doing it that way. It's a great appetite suppressant too!

I made a load of veggie curries yesterday so have a portion of spinach, tomato & chickpea curry in which I'll poach an egg and to take to work with me (239 cals according to MFP!) and then either more curry for supper or salad with big prawns.

I am not looking forward to doing this over half term - school holidays are always weight increasing times for me, mostly, I sure, because I'm making food all effing day for the little darlings. Any tips on getting through that?

Newlook · 07/02/2013 10:48

movzap.com/d3sdov4mvko6

I just found this link to the Horizon programme - don't know if it's the same link as the one mentioned in the into to this thread, but though I would tell you anyway!

BetsyVanBell · 07/02/2013 10:50

ayshigirl no idea I'm afraid. You could try google... Wink

dalek · 07/02/2013 10:53

ManvFoodrocks - that's very kind but unfortunately I am a 5 foot nothing shortarse who weighs 10 stone 10lbs! I really wanted this to work to get off the dieting bandwagon. Will give it another couple of weeks but then might have to resort to more traditional methods as I have a skiing holiday at the end of March and would like to be down to about 10 stone 3 ish by then.

Ezzza · 07/02/2013 10:54

Oooh mammamoomin2, Thai green prawn and veg curry, yum! Is your recipe on the recipe's thread?

lirael · 07/02/2013 11:04

Thank you Ezzza - just followed the link and it says my TDEE is 1790, so will try eating a bit more on non-fast days and see if that helps. I was aware that the 1500 set by MFP was for weight loss ( set for between 1-2lbs a week) but thought that if I tried to stick to it AND do the 5:2, I would lose a bit more quickly! It probably doesn't work like that.

Having said all this, I haven't been sticking to 1500 at weekends...

ayshigirl · 07/02/2013 11:14

thanks betsyvanbell i did try google but didn't get far... i'll try again on here later, perhaps the stats brains are out at the moment!

Day 9 of my fast tomorrow and I'm getting less apprehensive about the fast days

Ezzza · 07/02/2013 11:15

lirael if you're having a bit more at the weekends then you probably are doing it right as the weekends will probably bring your weekday averageup a bit. That said I'd still say to enjoy the freedom of not having any restricitons on your non--fast days and not worry too much about the number on the scales for now as this will help you to stick with it on a longer term basis. Easy said and hard done I know.

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