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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:
Dotty342kids · 12/02/2013 22:59

newlook, me too, love the Good Food website, have you found the section which is under Special Diets I think..... recipes of 300 cals and under? Good for ideas. One of my fave new discoveries is actually a Nigella one and it's delicious, esp if spinach added to it. One portion is about 225 cals so enough for a chapatti too! www.nigella.com/recipes/view/butternut-squash-and-red-lentil-curry-2777
I'm fasting again tomorrow and will be eating this which looks delicious, for my tea and is only 303 cals www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2121652/harissa-chicken-traybake
Catch up with you all again tomorrow Grin

GiraffesEatPineapples · 12/02/2013 23:36

think ican Paul McKenna does hypnosis CD latest is a gastric band you 'install' by listening to the CD. There are 5 golden rules (there are some thread on here that would give this info) not sure what they ask are but it centres around mindful eating. One poster on a Paul m thread said she naturally didn't eat fir 20 hours so it makes me think it might be useful for people finding overeating a big problem on non fat days. I haven't tried It and I am concentrating on adding in exercise to 5 2 at mo.

Fazerina · 13/02/2013 00:02

Evening all! I think it's safe to say I've lost track on all these threads, but I do try and post every once in a while..I've been doing 4:3 since the beginning on January and doing wonderfully. I love this WOL and am losing weight steadily. This is the big picture for me, although at the very moment (TMI alert!!) I'm feeling very backed up and came here to ask a very 'TMI' kind of question.. Has anyone tried enemas while fasting?

Some years back I did a 3-day juice fast for which I bought a special kit, which came with the juices and an enema kit. It's basically a pouch that is filled with water and a flexible tube to clean out your colon. In my current state of uncomfortableness, I found it and thought to give it a try when I have a moment tomorrow when I'll be fasting. Just thought to ask if anyone had ever tried it on 5:2 (or 4:3 or AF..)?

ThinkICan · 13/02/2013 01:15

I'll check it out - thanks Giraffe.

frenchfancy · 13/02/2013 06:18

Great recipe suggestions Dotty. Don't forget to post them on the recipe thread Smile

swallowedAfly · 13/02/2013 07:06

well i went through to about 8 or half past last night and then scrambled some eggs with a bit of ham in and followed it with a 71cal digestive biscuit. think i will have been way under 500cals yesterday.

considering doing another fast today to try and get in another in half term week but realistically will see how i feel at lunchtime. i'm not sure about doing 2 days in a row.

anyone else noticed an improvement with their skin?

Newlook · 13/02/2013 07:14

swallowedAfly - well done for your fast - I'm on day 2 fast today so not able to advise on two consecutive fasting days - you are right though, listen to your body. I am sure previous threads have referred to clearer, brighter skin - another lovely bonus of sticking to this plan.

swallowedAfly · 13/02/2013 07:22

my skin definitely has improved from the fasting - i was getting occasional horrible pimples near my mouth and they're gone. i've now started using moroccan argan oil and within a couple of days the dehydration lines around my eyes are much improved and some stubborn dry/hard spots (hard to explain - just little hard rough patches) have gone. so can highly recommend the oil and if anyone is interested i can dig out the site i bought it from that sell at cosmetic grade at a reasonable price - some are selling cooking grade at way higher the price so you have to be careful.

at this rate we can destroy the whole diet and beauty industry Wink

i may join you newlook on the two day fast and we can compare how it works for us. i sort of feel like it's better to get it done now i'm in the swing of it from yesterday than wait and hope i'll manage it on another day during half term.

swallowedAfly · 13/02/2013 07:23

(the pimples were 'occasional' but lasted for ages and nothing helped clear them up until i started fasting - may be the break from digesting has allowed my body to flush out toxins better i guess?)

Newlook · 13/02/2013 07:36

Hi swallowed sorry I realise my wording is misleading - think I wasn't quite awake - I fasted Monday, normal yesterday, today is 2nd fast day - sorry....v happy to support you on thread today though if you want to give it a go! I'm enjoying first cup of tea and I think there'll be plenty of those today, along with bouillon and water. Porridge and blueberries await when I feel I need them and soup this eve.

Last of my beginners' Pilates later - anyone else do this? really enjoying it. I am unable to do impact exercise at the mo, so it's a positive alternative and helps to get you in touch with your body, posture and core - great if you've had children and need to get that pelvic floor more under control (sorry to bring that up so early in the morning Wink

DoubleMum · 13/02/2013 07:59

I think I'm going to 4:3 this week, so it must be going well. I'd like to do that often if I can, as I have so much weight to lose, but this week we're away for the weekend and overeating -or at least eating calorific things - is a possibility so 4:3 feels a bit safer. Lovely recipes upthread. I've had success finding good stuff on Pinterest too, too many to mention but if someone wants the links can point them to that board on Pinterest.

Itsaboatjack · 13/02/2013 08:00

swallowed i just finished 2 back to back fasts. It felt fine, if anything yesterday was easier than Monday, and I've not had brekkie yet today, I'm going to have it after school run (our half term is next week) which is 1 mile walk each way, so I get a little workout on an empty stomach so I burn as much fat as I can before breaking my fast.

virginposter · 13/02/2013 08:07

Fazerina it has been know for 5:2ers to get 'backed up' sometimes on this woe. I take a teaspoon of psillium husk powder every day as it comes from plants and is very natural and therfore have no problems in that department. Have never had an enema.

Northstarmum · 13/02/2013 08:08

Going for back to back fasts- today is my 2nd day Shock. I didn't think I'd be able to fit any fasting in over half term but after an enjoyable if splurgey weekend away I was keen to get back on track so I'm taking the opportunity while it presents itself. Plan to skip breakfast, have leek, bacon and potato soup (bbc good food again) for lunch and I don't quite know what for dinner! Had a good weigh in this morning which has motivated me to keep going, and I'm definitely feeling the difference in my clothes even if no one else appears to have noticed my 12lb loss yet Hmm

virginposter · 13/02/2013 08:09

Sorry that should be Psyllium.

swallowedAfly · 13/02/2013 08:12

missed the post about enemas - i have a home enema kit - happy to answer questions if someone was wondering about them. there are a lot of supposed health benefits though i can't guarantee they're scientific. might be one to talk about by pm though Wink

itsabout - i will give it a go then. will aim to do what i did yesterday and survive on leave it till right in the evening bar hot drinks and lots of water.

yes i misunderstood you newlook sorry. happy fasting.

Dotty342kids · 13/02/2013 08:13

Re. the "backed up" issue. It's not something I have found happening for me but I do know that the food guaranteed to get things moving in that dept (!) is a nice ripe banana. Works on babies and works on adults too I think. So wonder if it's worth introducing those on fast days (about 80 cals) to help keep things moving along Grin

lottie63 · 13/02/2013 08:30

I'm doing 5:2 and have lost 9lbs so far. I do wonder though if I m drinking enough water. Do I need to drink 3 litres? Is this the same as on non-fast days? How much do you all drink? And does this include tea, coffee, juices, wine? I m not sure I could manage 3 litres of straight water.

lottie63 · 13/02/2013 08:40

ever2optimistic, you're exactly where I am now. 8stone 12lbs and 5' 2" (Well, and a half) I think I may feel better at around 8 and a half stone than 8st 2 though so may stop there. Will see.

My first 7lbs came off very easily though I had 3 days overeating afterwards and put it on again. Since then, i've dropped it again plus another two pounds. Going away this weekend so not fasting this Froday, Sat or Sunday and am wondering if I ll just end up putting it all back on once more

silverbeetle · 13/02/2013 08:44

Quick post before work beckons.

First 'normal' day after a fast yesterday and a very strange thing happened - I knew I could eat whatever I wanted and during the fast day and I was fantasising about food and what I would eat on the following feed day, would it be cake, would it be crisps, would it be both?

However when the feed day arrived it seemed to have the opposite effect to my appetite. I actually didn't fancy any of it, I opened the cake tin, sniffed it and walked away!!! Plus I only managed to eat about 1300 kcals during the whole day. This is probably too low as my TDEE is 1900, so will work on that but I'm amazed at how just one fast can help reduce sugar cravings, appetite and portion size. Feeling very optimistic.

Will monitor my skin swallowed, early days for me but what another great bonus.

BsshBossh · 13/02/2013 08:47

Well TOM is here - my first since I started 5:2 so it will be interesting to see if I manage a good fast tomorrow.

BsshBossh · 13/02/2013 08:49

silverbeetle I struggle to reach my TDEE on non-fast days too now my appetite has reduced. What I find good to do is to eat nuts to bump my cals up - they feel healthy but not over-filling but of course they are calorie-dense. Try it.

Minimammoth · 13/02/2013 08:50

Have had 2 days with low cal intake, but not strictly fasting, I have been avoiding the foods I know bloat me, and I have lost 3 lbs! I also know that that isn't real weight loss. I am a bit scared of complete fast and whether the non fast day will bloat me instantly. Thanks for the OP info, that was really useful. Maybe today I will try fast. I have soup at the ready.

swallowedAfly · 13/02/2013 08:51

bshh - for me it's pre-menstruating that my appetite rockets and during all is fine. i mentioned earlier i think that i was told by a woman who is a colonic irrigation practitioner that menstruation is a good time for anything like fasting, detoxing, colonics etc because the body is in that mode of releasing. it kind of makes sense when you think of how puffy and water retaining we can get (plus swollen boobs etc) before a period and how the period time releases all of that.

good luck Smile

Fazerina · 13/02/2013 08:59

Morning everyone! Thanks for the replies regarding my TMI question upthread:)! Good to know it's not just me experiencing this.. I've actually done enemas a few times in the past before being on the juice fast and starting the 4:3 when I've been suffering from migraines and it's usually helped stop the migraine nearly completely!

I know there are supposed to be some health benefits too, but having seen some of the dodgy websites out the regarding this, I'm not too sure.. Although I did hear somewhere, that apparently long time ago in the US, they were compulsory practice before any operation in hospitals for hygiene reasons.

Anyway, it's difficult to really do them now with a busy toddler running around, so might just do the Psyllium husk instead..

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