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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! 12! Cheaper by the dozen!

999 replies

GreenEggsAndNichts · 08/02/2013 10:09

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:
BlackMaryJanes · 11/02/2013 15:12

I'm getting fatter on this WOE :( I can feel it. 3 more weeks then I'm coming off :(

BlackMaryJanes · 11/02/2013 15:18

I actually don't think I can go on for 3 more weeks :( I'm wavering everyone and desperately need some hand-holding.

The WOE instructs that you "eat as normal" on your non-fast days - but that's my problem. I've never eaten 'normal' in my life. I've either binged or dieted. :(

ErikNorseman · 11/02/2013 15:29

Bmj you may need to rethink your feed days in that case. What is your TDEE? Can you meal plan for your eating days and include plenty of treat food? If you are a genuine binge eater then this woe may not work for you. You aren't the poster who ate 48 cream eggs at the weekend are you? :)

welshmill · 11/02/2013 15:32

Hi BlackMaryJanes sorry you're struggling. All I can suggest in that case is that you work out your TDEE (instructions above), sign up with MyFitnessPal and log everything you eat for a while (and I mean everything - milk, suger in tea/coffee etc). I know this can become slightly obsessive and is a reminder of all those dark days calorie counting on other diets but when I first started on this I had no idea what normal eating was either so I found this a great help. After a few months I've got a pretty good idea what a normal day is so I don't use MFP any more. This WOE is really worth sticking with. Good luck.

Dotty342kids · 11/02/2013 15:42

blackmaryjames so sorry to hear you're struggling. Have you weighed in to see if you've lost so far, rather than just "feeling" that you've put on weight? It may not be as bad as you fear?
Echo welshmill's comments about using myfitnesspal. I had no idea how many calories I normally eat in a day so am using that to keep track. Fortunately it wasn't as bad as I anticipated and actually, most days there is "room" in my TDEE to have the Dairy Milk I am so horribly addicted to!
As *welshmill" says, it can be useful for a short while until you get much more familiar with what's an ok and normal amount to be eating.
Good luck and stick at it, we're all here with you!

ManVsFoodRocks · 11/02/2013 15:45

Oh BMJ don't be despondent. I remember when I lost a significant chunk of weight on SW, I felt massively, hugely, significantly fatter once I'd lost 15lb - I think I was feeling more aware of myself or something. Don't go on how you feel, it just ain't accurate. Especially if you could be PMT-ish and bloated.

Off to read everyone's posts in a bit but can report - have intended to save all my cals for a single meal at 6pm and all going really well so far! Actually find it easier to work and be productive on a fast day which is a real revelation...

BlackMaryJanes · 11/02/2013 15:49

Thanks for replying everyone. I'm close to crying about this.

Not sure about my TDEE, as I'm quite active and breastfeeding on one hand, but very short (5ft1) on the other hand.

I'm probably going to end up fasting 2 days (for the health benefits) and calorie-counting the other 5 days. So basically 7 days a weak I'm restricting one way or another :(

I like the suggestion of MFP, but I'm slightly apprehensive because I fear it will make my perfectionist tendencies get out of control and heighten my anxiety about food.

Dotty I'm not weighing until 6 weeks have passed, at least that was my plan. But I can see the fat gradually piling on - in my face and on my muffin top.

PORRIDGEANYONE · 11/02/2013 15:56

Hi everybody, please don't think I' dumb but regarding the number of calories allowed a day when not fasting...shall I look at the bmr which is 1548 or the tdee which is 2128 ??

Sorry for butting in, I'm all new the 5:2 diet !

LackaDAISYcal · 11/02/2013 16:01

Thanks BetsyVanBell :)

I did a bit more reading after posting and realised I was just confusing myself. I've got the Daily Fail's supplements from Saturday and today and have ordered the 5:2 Recipe Book, Michael Mosely's book and the 2 day diet book which is out on thursday and am committed!

Is it OK to start this diet with a feast day though, as I work evenings Mon-Wed so don't want to fast until my days off on Thursday and Friday, otherwise I am bound to fail! I am trying to do healthy eating between now and then though

and wow this thread moves fast!

Looking forward to finally losing the visceral fat I have struggled to shift for the last four years!

LackaDAISYcal · 11/02/2013 16:03

Oh, and I know the 2 day diet recommends the two fast days together, but iirc Michael Mosely said it didn't matter on the Horizon programme back in August.

Is it easier to break yourself in doing fasting on alternate days or two days in between? or just jump in? I know I can handle one day, but two together seems quite daunting!

Daisy1407 · 11/02/2013 16:21

Hi
After 2 weeks of being on the 5:2 today i weighed in - i was dissapointed!
I have lost 1 lb in 2 weeks but i think this may be my fault i dont think im eating enough on the non fast days, i enter everything on to MFP and have always done this and i think about 3 days week i have about 1200 or under calories so i think i need to stop tracking and eat kinda what i like (within moderation)

Its reallt strange though as everyone was telling me i look smaller this week! Maybe measurments are the way forward!

I ate my last meal last night (sunday) at 19.30 and i havent eaten a thing since - waiting till i get home now 18.30

This is the first time ive waited this long and im very pleased with myself - i have just kept myself busy at work all day

Tonights tea consists of an omlette with 2 eggs, some WW bacon 2 slices and 2 quorn sausages - should fill me up! :)
Then a nice light hot chocolate for bed

Good luck everyone - lets stay positive x Daisy x

welshmill · 11/02/2013 16:22

blackmaryjames I'm even shorter at 4ft 11", 8st 11lb and 45 yrs old. At the moment my TDEE is 1719 (light exercise) but it was much higher when I started (10st 5lb). I must admit I did get a bit obsessive with MFP, logging all my food and exercise etc but that's just the way I tick. Over time (and seeing the results) I've got a lot less obsessive and as I said before, I no longer use it. I've calorie counted before so I know how it can take over you life but given how you're feeling it must be worth a try for a little while....especially if you do start to see results.

Newlook · 11/02/2013 16:32

welshmill thank you for answer on chewing gum - v helpful though I have managed without so far...
Thank you everyone for thread today - being my first fast day (oh did I mention that several times already?!!) it's been a great help checking in. For anyone who's interested, so far I've had
1 cup of tea, 2 cups of coffee, 1 bowl porridge/blueberries (200 cals - delicious), 1 cup a soup (73) and just resorted to a 40 cal WW hot chocolate. For me this is good going! I am about to make soup so can decide whether to have soup or tuna/beans for supper. Have sipped at water all day.
I have been aware of hunger at various points during day but the BEST thing is knowing that this is ONE DAY at a time and I keep thinking "I can do this for a day" - and I can - we all can! until the next time.
I am 12 stone 12 at 5'6'' - and want to lose at least 2 stone - that's a lot of pounds but reading everyone's comments tells me it IS possible so thank you.

Fillybuster · 11/02/2013 16:34

Back from snowboarding and found the new thread...hurrah!

After 11 days 'off' this WoE, spent mainlining cake, bread, butter, hot chocolate, red wine and finishing every day with a 5 course meal (with cheese plate), I got on the scales this morning.

9.13.8

On the one hand...

Disaster! I have regained nearly everything I lost in the previous 3 weeks.

On the other hand...

Hurrah! It could have been so much worse....!

Grin

Weirdly, I have been looking forward to fasting today all week....probably because I quite like being back in control.... Hmm

Anyway, an easy fast so far today, and hopefully the 5lbs or so I have put on over the past week will shift fairly quickly again :)

Btw, my new mantra (to replace 'i can eat it tomorrow') is "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels"....

frenchfancy · 11/02/2013 16:36

PORRIDGE You should eat your TDEE on non-fast days.

Lacka I have never done 2 days together, I always have 1 or 2 days of normal eating between my fast days. And as your non-fast days are just normal eating days you have effectively already started.

bmj I appreciate you are worried, but I think if you are restricting every day then it will be much more difficult to stick to. Why not Have the weekends off. So have 2 fast days and 3 CR days during the week, then just eat normally at the weekends. Don't binge, but don't count either. I think that way you are much more likely to stick to it and achieve your long term goal.

Welcome to all the newbies. There seems to be a lot of new starters today.

Dotty342kids · 11/02/2013 16:44

Well done fillybuster on your "let's get straight back to it" attitude, that's fab!
Can I just put in a little request though - about the "nothing tastes as good as skinny feels" statement? Whilst I know what you mean, this statement is widely adopted by the pro anorexia community and therefore has very unhealthy connotations so think it might be best to avoid it in the context of what we're all hoping is a lifelong, health enhancing woe.
I don't want to sound all preachy but hope you folk all understand?

Itsaboatjack · 11/02/2013 16:49

Hi all, another fast day for me today and I went the longest time without food so far, from 7pm last night till 4pm today so 21hrs!

LackaDAISYcal do you have any more info on why fasting 2 days together may be more beneficial?

BMJ I'm also a dieter or binger so am using MFP to get my head round what 'normal' eating is. So last week I had 3 fast days, 2 days just under TDEE, 1 day just over and yesterday I just stopped counting as it was getting ridiculous as I was just having one of those days when I couldn't seem to stop picking. I definitely find it easier when I am working/busy, yesterday was a lazy day at home.

Well done to all first day fasters, I hope it's going well.

blueberryboybait · 11/02/2013 17:13

Arrghh - The DDs are having pizza for supper and they have left all the little crusty bits that i normally hoover up for them. This is testing my will power, not long until my roast veg and chilli chicken is ready.

theheadgirl · 11/02/2013 17:31

Another new starter! I've lurked, read the book, watched horizon, read all the links and now feel ready to give it a go

Got weighed and measured this morning. I'm 5'3", and weigh 10'4" so have a BMI of 26. Not desperately overweight but I'll be 48 this year and I'm getting more and more egg shaped! Today my waist was 33 inch but I was 39 inch around the abdomen. Too much for a short arse. I figure this is worth a go......

I had porridge with raspberries for breakfast (200 cal) and have just had lentil soup with a slice of granary toast (300 cal). It's gone well all day whilst I've been at work but I need to keep busy to stop myself snacking tonight. It took a will of iron not to pick at the DDs leftovers!

Hasywell · 11/02/2013 18:02

Hello all from a newbie and lurker! Have been following this WOE for 4 weeks now and have lost 7lbs and about 2 inches from waist! Have found all your stories informative, inspiring and motivating. Today is a fast day and this time I went from 6.30pm through to 1pm today before having soup and a banana. Found this much easier than when I have been having breakfast then supper. Tonight will be a turkey and veg stir fry. Thanks for all the support that is given on these threads!

Dotty342kids · 11/02/2013 18:24

Wow, well done Hasywell hope to see similar impact when I get on the scales at the end of this week (after 4 fasts in two weeks). And welcome from your lurking status!

Emandlu · 11/02/2013 18:39

I had cinnamon porridge with apple this morning and then I've had bolognese with spinach instead of pasta. I had a coffee first thing and have drunk lemon and ginger tea or water for the rest of the day. It's come in at 478 calories according to MFP. I have to add 10 calories for medications that I take too disappointingly.

I have found this first day really hard but have stuck to it as I know I can eat normally tomorrow and it won't be a problem.

I am finding myself thinking that there must be something I can have for 12 calories to round the numbers off Grin

CiderwithBuda · 11/02/2013 18:54

Well I haven't fou nd my first fast day too bad so far.

Had two poached eggs and a ryvita for lunch just before 1pm.
Have just had a Moroccan chick pea soup from the Good food site with a dollop of yoghurt.

Have deen drinking tea with skim milk and herbal teas all day.
Still have 113 calories left
I think I will have a couple of Ryvitas with low fat philadephia now with a cuppa.

May end up going to bed early to avoid temptation though!

GiraffesEatPineapples · 11/02/2013 18:57

BMJ - what about paul mckenna for non fast days if you are worried about calorie counting and want to learn to eat more normally. Sounds like we have similar 'ishoes' with food and I have been thinking about trying that alongside 5:2

Ninunina · 11/02/2013 19:16

First day fasting hasn't been all that bad, but I am normally the hungriest in the evening so I need to keep myself occupied. So far I've consumed 400kcal so I can treat myself to something if I get desperate. It's good to see that there are a few people starting today too. I can't wait to see if this WOE will actually work for me. Fingers crossed xxx