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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:
ManVsFoodRocks · 11/02/2013 19:31

Fast day 5 went well - held off until 6.45pm and enjoyed a lovely lovely veggie butterbean stew, and stewed apples and yogurt. Feel stuffed and not at all as if I'm dieting - just as if I had a busy day too rushed to eat and came home to a nice supper.

But I did wake up this morning with completely inexplicable knee pain that's been bothering me all day Confused. Still - incentive to continue with this WOE if ever there was one!

Welcome to the newcomers - you're in the right place and making me feel like an old hand Grin

BsshBossh · 11/02/2013 19:36

Another good fasting day is coming to an end for me. Haven't eaten since last night yet even had the energy to workout for 45 minutes at the gym (including my first Couch to 5k). My body has really adjusted to fasting days and I particularly look forward to my Monday ones as I always overindulge at weekends (lots of social eating) so my digestion welcomes Monday's long break. I'm still feeling super cold on fast days though - I'm home with the heating on at full blast and wearing thermals under two layers! DH started 6:1 last week and is very fit with no weight to lose (he's doing it solely for health reasons) and he's freezing too.

Aftereightsarenolongermine · 11/02/2013 20:19

Fasting day almost over & I've found it really hard today I actually think the hardest since I started but its almost over yay.

Dotty342kids · 11/02/2013 20:29

I didn't find the hunger too bad today. Went to about 2.00 when I had a boiled egg and some grapes. Then had lentil / squash curry and a chapatti at 6ish. But have really been craving some chocolate. Think it may have been because I was eating some last night and so now I've got the taste for it again!
So I had a small chocolate truffle! Not ideal but not a dealbreaker either!

stickygingerbread · 11/02/2013 20:48

ManVsFood - stewed apples - what a good idea.

Sorry all for the controversial calculator posted upthread. I couldn't find the original one I used, so I just grabbed one of the top google results. Blush but it contributed to some good discssion so it wasn't a total loss. Grin

But swallowed if you can recall where you might have read that gaining around the middle has been debunked as a health risk I would like to read it as I am very much looking to improve long term health indicators.

My work has just offered employees an 2-month weekly educational program on diabetes with fasting glucose measures at start and end - so I have signed up and am looking forward to seeing if the numbers change.

I did not start measuring waist circumference right away. After a couple of weeks doing adf (and some other changes for health), I noticed my waist had returned, and that motivated me to bring out the tape measure. So I can't be certain of what it was at the start, but in about 5 weeks, I have lost 2.5 inches at the waist. Definitely more than that overall as I am now in week 8. It's incredible! There is still much more to lose judging by how many inches can be pinched, but it is exciting progress where I had no real hope.

I made the orange and almond cake on yesterday and it is very popular. Thank you BetsyVanBell for the idea of slivered almonds on top. I had just enough on hand. I tried to make an orange honey syrup but it turned out cloying. Instead decided on a brown butter marmalade glaze that worked very well. It is nice to have it to look forward to tomorrow. What a great lifestyle.

BetsyVanBell · 11/02/2013 20:59

Sticky, ooooh that cake [drools at concept of brown butter marmalade glaze]. Is it nearly bedtime yet? This has been one loooong fast day trapped in the house with a poorly dc.

Well done to all today's new fasters - almost there!

Newlook · 11/02/2013 21:11

Thanks BetsyVanBell and everyone who has been encouraging new starters today - all gone well thanks to hot drinks and this thread. Thank you and well done to everyone. About to put feet up now that kids are in bed - decaff espresso awaits.... will check out the cake that is being mentioned too, sound delicious. Good luck to all those with chn on halfterm, it is harder when organising/feeding others - I had one off sick today who kept wanting to read my thread - felt all protective about it, get away!!!

parrotsandcarsnips · 11/02/2013 21:14

This is week 4 for me and dh and i managed a longer fast from 8pm last night until 5pm so pleased with that. I was off work so found myself busy clearing out attic.
I am still feeling cold and im glad to have my thermals.
We have had the chicken stir fry mentioning on a linked blog, it was tasty and filling.
Looking forward to slow cooking delicious stew tomorrow night.

whethergirl · 11/02/2013 21:20

How do any of you find fast days when it's your period? For one thing, for about a week I am ravenously hungry, but also I do bleed quite heavily - am wondering if I should avoid doing the fast those days, although I don't like to break my routine.

DoubleMum · 11/02/2013 21:23

Hello all, I did my first fast yesterday and it went well so I think I'm a 5:2er now (but also on the Chiefs thread, hello to any fasting Chiefs!). I've been using MFP for 5 weeks and am steadily losing weight but this seemed a good WOL to stabilise my relationship with food. I need to lose an awful lot so it's got to be very much a long term thing. But it's fat that's been around all my life and just gradually got added to, so it's no surprise it will take a long time to shift. I'm feeling quite confident it will go, this time.
I've read most of the previous threads and wanted to say a huge thankyou Thanks to the regulars who've answered so many questions and shared so many tips.

needtaloseit · 11/02/2013 21:26

hey all, just finnishing my first fast day.. was hard enough I might say, but kept thinking only for one day. I am doing the alternated day on day off.. Just wondering if anyone could fill me in regards to what you should eat on your eat days, do you eat what you fancy but obviously not overeat but do have that slice of pizza and wedges with dinner ???

parrotsandcarsnips · 11/02/2013 21:29

whethergirl i would definitely struggle pre-period as i seem to need extra calories (and sleep) prior to my TOM but once it arrives I'm fine. Can you adjust your days to suit?

npg1 · 11/02/2013 21:36

First fasting day done!

2 weetabix and skimmed milk for breakfast
cup a soup and 2 ryvitas for lunch and an apple
2 weetabix and skimmed milk for dinner.

Now feeling quite hungry and want chocolate!

My TDEE is 1835, is that how many caleries to eat in a day?

stickygingerbread · 11/02/2013 21:41

Betsy this is so wrong to dwell on here, but the Ottolenghi polenta version mentioned by snowkey (I think) is an intriguing upside-down cake that could only be improved by adding crushed nuts to the topping ... Apologies all - I find that on fast days my mind obsessively plots new recipes. It is really expanding my repertoire.

On the healthy side we made cauliflower rice for the first time and are really pleased with the possibilities there. Also going to do baby bok choi for next fast day, having never made those myself before. All tips & advice welcomed.

I find it interesting how everyone finds what suits them for fast days, which shows how flexible this approach is. For me, I have gradually moved toward eating only lunch on a fast day. In the evening if necessary I have a bit more. I never liked breakfast or going to bed full so this feels very natural. Also it allows 2 16-ish hour stretches.

notapizzaeater · 11/02/2013 21:43

2nd fast day just about done ....

Lunch diet cup a soup and apple ( about 2pm)
Tea roasted butternut squash and boiled egg
Supper low fat chocolate Horlicks

Currently about 400 calories. Should I eat something to get to 500 or is 400 ok ?

Aftereightsarenolongermine · 11/02/2013 21:44

Already said that I found today very hard but this thread got me through, howling with laughter & I thoroughly recommend it if you have a couple of hours spare www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_classics/1056940-to-think-this-couple-are-bonkers?msgid=37196043#37196043

Aftereightsarenolongermine · 11/02/2013 21:51

And from laska who has suggested you look at the following delicious recipes in case you are feeling especially peckish www.candyboots.com/wwcards.html

whethergirl · 11/02/2013 22:00

thanks parrotsandcarsnips, I may need to adjust my days as I seem to need extra calories too, but reluctant to change days as then I might start getting lax.

I have a soup query also! Normally on a fast day, I have a Tesco carton of soup which is about 250 cals. I was going to look into buying low calorie soups but wondered if they would not be as filling, and therefore counterproductive?

stickygingerbread · 11/02/2013 22:16

whethergirl I have only been through it once so far, but found it exceptionally hard and modified the fasts to be greater than 500, but still less than a normal day.

Also, had terrible leg cramp that occurred at the same time, so added some calcium/magnesium/zinc and potassium supplementation. Not sure if that was coincidence or not. The only other time I've had leg cramp was while pg.

I think next time I will just allow slack and modify as necessary. After all, you can go back on track after.

needtaloseit welcome fellow adf'er. I think the consensus has been that adf allows more leeway to on-day eating since it would be hard to eat above the TDEE on adf, but then you do want to have a healthy overall relationship with food and nutrition - which means good nutrition on the one hand, but no obsessive guilt and suffering on the other. So yes have some pizza and/or wedges if that is what you want - no guilt. In a way we have to work out step by step our relationship with food on the eating days as much as on the off-days.

whethergirl · 11/02/2013 22:23

Thanks stickygingerbread, it would make sense to be a little lax on period days, however, time of the month has always been my downfall during previous diets, that's why I'm feeling a bit anxious about it. I've ruined so many diets around that time and then found it really hard to get back on track. Sometimes it's taken me a couple of weeks to get back to dieting, and then it's not long before TOM strikes again!

politico · 11/02/2013 22:23

Hi everyone, can I come and join you please?

I am just about to finish my first ever fast, and am quite excited to have survived!! About 3 hours ago I was all set to go to bed but I've been reading through the thread, getting really inspired to stay motivated and keep at it. Thank you!

I go back to work from mat leave in 2 months and would like to not still be looking pregnant when that happens - I have about a stone and a half to lose, so it's unlikely to go by then, but I want to make a good start. Plus I want to have the energy to chase after my little boy. I've tried weightwatchers before, it didn't work for me, and I love food too much to restrict myself every day. I comfort eat, and I am sick and tired of not being in control, to be honest. I am hoping this new WOL is the answer.

So, today I had a poached egg on toasted rye bread at 1pm, just black coffee and green tea before that, and then one of those (really tasty actually) Innocent veg pots for my tea at 6pm, because I got a bit stuck and couldn't think of anything I actually wanted to eat. And lots of water throughout the day. I'm just under the 500cal mark I think. I've felt a bit hollow and a touch lightheaded when out for a walk earlier, but that passed with more water. It's not been easy but not as hard as I thought either.

Going to fast again on thursday!!

BsshBossh · 11/02/2013 22:26

Hello DoubleMum :)

whethergirl I become a food hoover in the run-up to TOM. I scare myself at how desperate I become to eat. And I do eat. But I then take a two week hiatus from weighing and try and cut down on my food after TOM to balance it all out.

Haven't done 5:2 on TOM yet but I think I might not fast that week (if the food cravings ensue) and then eat at a 15-20% reduction of my TDEE to limit the damage. We'll see...

emmafifema · 11/02/2013 22:26

OK, So first fasting day today and it wasn't easy peasy but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, this is what i had:

Brekkie: 25g porridge with 125ml skimmed milk (8am)
2pm I had about 70g of raw carrot to take my pills
Dinner: A range of veggies in homemade curry sauce and a boiled egg

Dranks lots and lots of black coffee and black tea

Totaled around 500cals for the day :-)

Next fasting day is Wednesday...PANCAKE DAY TOMORROW WAHOOOOOOOO!!!!!

BsshBossh · 11/02/2013 22:27
  • from weighing myself
whethergirl · 11/02/2013 22:32

it's crazy isn't it BsshBossh, I'm the same, I really panic eat. Will consider taking a week off a month actually, that might work better than failing.

Well done, emmafifema! I'm on my 3rd today, I drink lots of tea/coffee too (don't forget to add those cals up), unfortunately I am averse to water.