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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:
ErikNorseman · 07/02/2013 16:02

Bmj, it's useful to be aware of your TDEE in case you are massively exceeding it, or indeed not meeting it, on a regular basis. I don't calorie count on normal days but I do have an awareness in my mind of roughly how much I'm eating.

TalkinPeace2 · 07/02/2013 16:22

BlackmaryJanes
On the side of a cereal packet you will see the "guideline daily amounts" which seem to assume that all women need 2000 calories a day.
BUT
That figure dates from just after WW2 and is lacking in scientific substance.
SO
If you work out your TDEE you get a better idea what to aim for ... somebody 5 feet tall, age 40 who has a desk job only needs just over 1600 calories a day ... so following the 2000 "guide" will result in them getting fat.
THEREFORE
It is worth knowing your TDEE (which will drop as you lose weight of course) and tracking what you eat on MFP - so you understand how you got overweight in the first place.

BlackMaryJanes · 07/02/2013 16:42

Thing is, I act like a fat pig on feast days :( Pizzas, cheesy chips, rich pasta. Years of depriving myself has resulted in this.

TalkinPeace2 · 07/02/2013 16:56

BMJ
OK, you need to each yourself how to eat well.
It will take time.
Pizza - yup I have a home made one every Friday.
Chips / Pasta : have weaned myself down to twice a week.
Booze : only at weekends (or really stressful non fast work nights)

Think of your food on a weekly basis.
You are not 'depriving' yourself. You are saving your health and balancing.
2 days a week of fasting
2 days a week of trying to stay under your TDEE
2 days a week of trying to stay within 10% of your TDEE
1 day splurge

Bit by bit you can work to 2 : 4 : 1 - and enjoy the splurge all the more so because you'll be slim and healthy while having thirds at the Chinese buffet!

ThinkICan · 07/02/2013 16:58

Great advice TiP2. Thank you.

BlackMaryJanes · 07/02/2013 16:58

That's a refreshing way of looking at it TalkinPeace2 Has it worked for you?

TalkinPeace2 · 07/02/2013 17:03

BMJ
I'm a size 8 now Smile Was size 16 large size 14 at my peak.

BlackMaryJanes · 07/02/2013 17:11

Something I'm pondering:

Mosley says he has a small breakfast then fasts for 12 hours then has the remainder of his 600 cals for supper. However I don't eat anything till supper then have my 500 cals then (only way I can sleep). Why does Mosley eat breakfast? Seems counter-productive to me. Breakfast wakes the appetite.

Salbertina · 07/02/2013 17:12

Tp- well done, wow! V wise words also- heard a paleo guy also advocating the weekly splurge, can't remember who now

Newlook · 07/02/2013 17:15

Thanks for your advice TP2 - it makes so much sense. I have at least 2 stone to lose and know that, after almost 20 years of irregular eating, many diets, varied amounts of exercise, 2 babies etc. etc. it will probably be harder than ever to lose weight. However, the Fast Diet philosophy, benefits and reality /evidence all point to a workable, do-able eating approach which fits in with real life. I start my first fast on Monday (food shopping comes tomorrow, then w/end with family so plan to do fast days during "week"). I am sure your common sense advice will be welcomed by many! Well done to you Smile

helloeverything · 07/02/2013 17:16

Hi there, am on my first fast day.
I was reluctant to try fasting as I am quite scared of being hungry - then realised that this is precisely why I need to do it. Its been a bit difficult on my way back from work, but I've certainly coped.
I have a bit of a eat-while-its-there mentality (maybe coming from a big family), and I'm hoping to get out of this.
Wish me luck!

Newlook · 07/02/2013 17:33

Good luck helloeverything you can do it! I understand the eating mentality thing - I think grazing has become a hobby of mine - one that I plan to give up! and your point about being scared of being hungry is so pertinent. I guess we can all remember things we were scared of doing but were then DELIGHTED to have achieved - whether it was because we felt pleased with ourselves, proud, clever, braver etc. What is more important than our health? for ourselves, for our loved ones - thanks for helping me to remind myself why I am going to do this too! Grin and Thanks

Mandy312 · 07/02/2013 17:33

I'm HUNGRY! But determined to complete this fast without ruining it!
TP - great advice.

zombiesheep · 07/02/2013 17:35

Hey everyone, would like to start this. Is this do-able long term? Do you lose a lot of weight?

I'm scared of fainting on the fast days :( that's the only thing that scares me. Sorry if this has already been posted but don't have time to read the whole thread at the moment!

Thanks :)

swallowedAfly · 07/02/2013 17:38

guess mosley does what suits him best - maybe he can't function without breakfast.

i broke my fast at 4 after 20hrs straight with a salmon fillet and some veg and am now sipping tea trying to stave off that i've eaten so now i feel like eating more mode. am well within my calories so can eat again but would rather leave it till just before i sleep. think i'll have a boiled egg and if needs be a slim a soup.

managed to ignore the hankering for a beer - it's only today which is so good to know. tomorrow if i want beer i can have it.

looking forward to weighing myself in the morning - fingers crossed for a good result.

will def be fasting on tuesday as i'm in work for training but the other days are at home and half term so.... not sure how i'll manage. think i need to plan one busy day though i guess if the worst came to worst and i only did one fast i could aim for three the next week? definitely easier to fast when working imo.

Laska42 · 07/02/2013 17:56

why does DR Mosely eat breakfast?

..because there is no ONE way to to this WOE,

....because it suits him and fits in with his lifestyle

...and after doing his way of 5:2 for 6 weeks the researchers confirmed tha not only had he lost weight ,but also has achieved the health benefits he was seeking..

Lots of us split our calories.. I have from when I started in August and have lost over a stone and a half now.. I dont know if I have increased my chances of living healthiier longer , but I'm pretty sure I have..Grin

TIP2 I like your 7 day plan.. could you put it on theTips and links if you haven't already done yet?

ErikNorseman · 07/02/2013 17:58

Zombie, I've lost 1lb a week steadily since I started. Unless you have a blood sugar problem you shouldn't faint. Hunger really isn't dangerous :)

Itsaboatjack · 07/02/2013 18:02

swallowedAfly I'm going for a beer now, I'll have one for you tonight then you can have one for me tomorrow when I'm fasting Grin

Agree about the school holidays, more food around the house and also not doing the school run, I walk 4 miles a day doing it normally.

swallowedAfly · 07/02/2013 18:16

you have a deal itsaboatjack Grin my first beer tomorrow is yours!

ManVsFoodRocks · 07/02/2013 18:29

BMJ I know what you mean about years of deprivation making the temptation to binge a really scary thought (and I've gone slightly too far I must admit).

But if you do this the fasting does seem to do something to your appetite - if not shrink it (even for 'off' days) certainly teach you that a hunger pang does not = the need to eat. And because nothing is forbidden, things don't become irresistible.

My fast day went well! (Not over yet though of course). Went for about 22 hours on just a small apple (and loads to drink obvs) and have had a huge veggie curry and some fruit, and still have about 90 cals in hand for a piece of fruit later if I want it.

am staggered to find that walking home from town on a virtually empty stomach at 5pm, I was full of vim and pep Confused

This WOE is doing my nut in, I tell you.

GiraffesEatPineapples · 07/02/2013 18:32

Swallowed a fly that beer will be extra satisfying tomorrow!
Had a bad night last night, DD was being sick and I have it now, annoyingly in a eat to fight the nausea not being sick way.
Brill plan tip, that's what I am among toward.

Rosiei21 · 07/02/2013 19:01

Hi All

I am a newbie here. I only found out about this diet 2 wks ago as I listened to the radio on my drive to Devon. I liked the sound of it, so did some googling, downloaded the fast diet book and the 5:2 book onto my iPhone and read all I could.
On my return I decided to give it a go.
I have tried all other diets and I get bored with them and although I start off well I then go off the wagon and find it hard to restart.

I am a fairly fit 56 yr old, I walk my dogs for over an hour every day and I also do dog sports with them, but I also reckoned it was time to start looking at my internal health as well. I am 5'5" & I weighed in at 11st 10lb before I started

Last Tuesday was my first fast day. However I have decided to cheat and I am using weight watchers convenience meals for my evening meal.
In the morning I am having 2 of the new Mcvities porridge biscuits, total 114 calories. I am then having the WW meal in the evening roughly 250 calories, and a real fruit puree ( meant for babies but delicious at 60 calories) During the day I am having Red Bush tea with a hint of skimmed milk up to the value of 500.

Once Ive reached this I switch to water. I try and keep as busy as I can.
I did the same regime on my 2nd fast day and also my third which was yesterday.
I have so far lost 4lbs.
The only problem I have had is a slight headache when I wake up ? :-(
Eventually I want to be able to cut out the breakfast and just have the evening meal, but mentally I am not ready for this yet.

Today is my 4th fast day and I sort of made a slip up, but still within my 500 calories. I had a small costa coffee in Tesco, apparently made with semi skimmed milk.
Is there a problem with having that? even though its within my 500 calories.

Laska42 · 07/02/2013 19:17

rosie coffee is fine.. i have it all the time .. couldn't do without it . (black for me though)
but redbush tea??.. (bleugh!! Devil's tea !!) AND with milk (shudder) but each to their own Grin .. someone has to drink it .. ( just not me)

Have you tried mint tea? i drink that a lot , and also green tea with lemon grass. Several people here recommend liquorice/vanilla tea, i've not tried it as doesn't sound like my kind of thing..

I do eat 2 meals and have the whole time, but if I were you id swap the biscuits for eggs.. i have 2 egg omlette, with tomatoes and mushrooms) will keep you more satisfied

BsshBossh · 07/02/2013 19:40

BlackMaryJanes, listen to TiP2 - she's fierce but tells it how it is.

TalkinPeace2 · 07/02/2013 19:43

Another yummy fast day supper idea ....
DH and I shared a carton of Aldi version of Covent Garden vegetable soup, tipped in the leftover peas from last night and then tipped in a small microwaved cod fillet. Stir, add pepper.
500 calories - am STUFFED (he had a hunk of bread with his to bring his allowance up)
And that is after having done a 24 hour fast - apart from tea.

Tomorrow is an eat (and drink day)

Hang on in there New Adopters of 5:2 - it gets easier every month and the results are SOOOOO worth it.