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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:
Aftereightsarenolongermine · 16/02/2013 13:37

silver I remember always being told to finish everything on my plate & waste not want not.

gonepear well done its lovely being able to breathe in smaller clothes :o

FastFeeder · 16/02/2013 14:01

Just had a thought: the reason this way of eating works on a long-term is because you don't actually have to do anything.

All we're doing is not eating: an absence of action. Once we're in the swing of it and in tune with our appetites we don't have to do anything (count points, count calories even) - just ease up on our food intake every so often. And its all entirely in our own control - no peer pressure, no public weigh-ins.

Stating the obvious really, I know!

virginposter · 16/02/2013 14:12

survivingwinter I'm wondering if some of the others have misunderstood what you are saying about 6pm to 6pm.
I'm taking it that you have your last meal at 6pm and then have nothing until 6pm the following day when you will have your 500 cal meal. Then nothing until breakfast the following morning. If this is the case then I'd say go for it as this is exactly what I have been doing from day one on the woe. I too cannot go to bed hungry as my growling tummy keeps me awake so I have all my calories in one go and feel nicely full (sometimes can't manage the whole 500).
I've lost consistently (19lbs) this way with a few plateaus at 1 or 2lbs a week and it suits me very well. Sometimes I don't feel hungry the morning after a fast and so skip breakfast as well.
I love this woe, I'm full of energy and I'm going out this week to buy size 10's as all my clothes are now too big (shame Grin )

GiraffesEatPineapples · 16/02/2013 15:28

I think it was literary geek who is bf, her last post on this subjesct was excellent, pos thread 11? will see if I can find it and cut and paste into tips.

survivingwinter · 16/02/2013 15:37

Yes virginposter that's what I was meaning. I only really want the health benefits from fasting as am happy with my weight but will struggle to maintain this woe if I can't find a way that works for me. Glad it's been successful for you - lovely to have to go shopping for smaller sizes Smile

GiraffesEatPineapples · 16/02/2013 15:38

boraBora have cut and paste literary geeks post onto the hints and tips thread which is linked to in the op.

GiraffesEatPineapples · 16/02/2013 16:37

Thanks to however mentioned condensed mushroom soup. I had an old tin in the back of a cupoard so poured it over roast chicken leftovers and baked in a pyrex. It was like chicken pie without the calories! Had with carrots and broccoli and the skins from dc scooped out baked potatos. YUM

GiraffesEatPineapples · 16/02/2013 16:37

whoever not however Confused

BlackMaryJanes · 16/02/2013 16:45

Hi ladies (and lurking dudes). I'm feeling a little better mentally today. I was brave and jumped on the scales for the first time in over a month. The result? After 4 weeks of 5:2 I've simply maintained my weight. Not even lost a pound. But I'm actually quite happy with this, as I was under the illusion that I'd gained at least a stone! (I've been eating utter junk).

However bizarrely I feel really fat - even my clothes are tight. I wore a dress for Valentines day that I haven't worn for a few months and it was so uncomfortable that when I took it off at the end of the night I had red indentations on my skin. Yet my weight isn't too bad and my bodyfat percentage is 25% which is deemed normal (I've got those scales which measure bodyfat as well as weight).

What's going on? Confused

I've decided to heed everyone's advice and calorie count on non-fast days.

GiraffesEatPineapples · 16/02/2013 16:54

Keep going BMJ maybe next month you will lose weight. I am aiming towards healthier eating on non fast days its tricky though! Not sure why you feel fatter than the scales say thats the reverse of what usually happens on this woe!

GiraffesEatPineapples · 16/02/2013 16:56

hmmm maybe you weighed after a fast but wore the dress after some eating days when you had more 'junk' Confused

ErikNorseman · 16/02/2013 17:00

Hey BMJ, glad you are feeling better. What is your TDEE? If you create a deficit of 3000 on fast days, but overeat by 600 a day (possible, especially if you are liable to binge) then you will feel very unpleasant and stodgy but won't gain or lose.
Sticking to TDEE 5 days a week shouldn't feel too depriving and you may need to plan your meals better, so you don't reach for junk food.

swallowedAfly · 16/02/2013 17:03

that was me giraffes (condensed soup) - an old favourite for calorie cutting times. i used to mix it with tuna and have on top of a baked potato. not easy getting creamy richness without calories - low fat condensed soup is the way forward.

swallowedAfly · 16/02/2013 17:05

bmj - if you're eating loads of processed junk with salt in you may be massively retaining water hence the bloated fat feeling.

if eating loads of crap and doing this has made you maintain that's a pretty good sign that eating a bit better and doing this will make you lose.

BlackMaryJanes · 16/02/2013 18:04

GiraffesEatPineapples I think I may be due a visit from Aunt Flow Blush which could explain why I feel 'fat'. Thing is, something upsetting happened this week at a toddler group:

I was sitting with a small group of my close friends and telling them about how I felt disillusioned with the 5:2 diet. I was moaning how I felt I had gained a lot of weight in just a month on the diet. One of my friends (she means well but is a bit tactless) turned to another and said, "Yeah, she never used to be this size you know".

:(

ErikNorseman I'm not sure what my TDEE is. I'm eating 1800 cals on non-fast days because that's what I feel most comfortable with. I feel 'in control' on 1800 but if I consume any more I feel out of control and unable to stop.

swallowedAfly I've drastically reduced the junk now :) Not only was the junk making me feel fat, it was also giving me acne and constipation! Ewww.

Prettymaidsallinarow · 16/02/2013 18:36

bmj totally up to you but if you tell me your height, weight, age and how much exercise you do per week I will work out yor TDEE for you....

BlackMaryJanes · 16/02/2013 19:22

Guys, I must have tempted fate - aunt flo just arrived. Blush

Prettymaidsallinarow Here's my stats:

Height: 5ft1.
Weight: 8st 10.
Exercise: Do about a mile of walking every day and also three hours of intense cardio and weights per week (spinning, step aerobics, boot camp). I also breastfeed approx 4 times per day.

ErikNorseman · 16/02/2013 19:25

BMJ at your weight you will find it really hard to lose weight! There isn't much to lose.

BlackMaryJanes · 16/02/2013 20:12

ErikNorseman It doesnt look that way on my 5ft1 frame. trust me.

Prettymaidsallinarow · 16/02/2013 20:17

Ok bmj you didn't put your age so I guessed at 30? anyway it's coming out at 1822 calories on your normal days so you are about right at 1800. Don't eat much less than that but don't go over it. It is a decent amount and gives you some room for a small treat.
Listen my love, you need to stop eating most of the shit you say you are eating. swallowed mentioned salt from the food and water retention, she is right and that is what it will be.
If nothing else helps, think about that little baba you are bf ing and making his/her diet as nutritious as possible. I know it's not easy but you obviously want to do it or you wouldn't be here Smile
Read as much info about this woe as you can but as long as you apply the basics, stick to 500 on your fasts and 1800 on the other days you will start to lose.
I presume you couldn't possibly chuck an extra exercise session in, maybe a fitness DVD or a bit extra walking with the pram with a little wiggle on? That will also make a difference but I know you will have a lot on with your baby.
Btw, your "mate". Is there the slightest chance that you look a little better and she is jealous? It's amazing what some people are capable of saying when the green eyed monster strikes Envy xxx

Prettymaidsallinarow · 16/02/2013 20:28

Also bmj I know what you mean about your weight and your frame etc. I'm 5'6 aged 46 and weigh 9st 4 lb, lost 8/9 lb on this woe in 11 weeks and more or less all of it from my stomach/torso. I still have some to go as I still have some fat on my belly as I too have a small frame but am a true apple shape which is the worst body shape to be IMO.

jeniben · 16/02/2013 20:47

hi new and de-lurking
i have been properly trying to lose weight since mid Jan using MFP and have had some success but after reading a lot about the 5.2 diet i thought i'd give that a try
i saw the doc last year but had just had major surgery and wanted to just give myself recovery time So yet again i start a new year diet hoping to lose at least 1 stone but ideally 2 would be best
i can now start excercising again and do 2 60min zumba classes, walk for about 3 hours a week to get to work and had my first semi serious fast day on thursday and found it relatively easy so am gonna go for it properly next week, tues and thurs as i zumba on monday lunch and i know the recommendation is not to fast on consecutive days
i am 5'8, and started at 14.13 and am now down to 14.6 already, am also 45yo.
in the past i have tried all the usual diets WW, SW etc and stuck to them for while but only ever losing 1/2lb a week so it was very disheartening and never really fitted with our lifestyle of going out on a saturday night for a few drinks and sunday lunch for a pub meal
anyway - sorry to have waffled on, hope to be here often if not posting definately lurking and reading
jeniben

BlackMaryJanes · 16/02/2013 20:50

Prettymaidsallinarow that's good to know I'm eating a sensible amount :)

My mate is not fat in the slightest, not even slightly plump, so I don't think she's Envy

I'm 30 yeah. How did you guess?

I'm also an apple shape :( it's gross (skinny legs but no waist). I'd rather be a pear - much more feminine.

swallowedAfly · 16/02/2013 21:05

urgh! i feel gross. thought i would 'treat' us to takeaway after a big walk in the fields and cleaning up animals and child. was a bit of a treat whilst i was eating it but it's now five hours on and i still feel like i've swallowed a whale. painfully full.

so hope i can remember this! don't want to train myself into getting used to it again.

bmj - you're 23bmi so realistically it's not going to fall off of you rapidly because there's so little of you. sounds like it's shape rather than weight that is getting to you. maybe do some resistance training and build muscle tone?

BlackMaryJanes · 16/02/2013 21:08

maybe do some resistance training and build muscle tone?

I do a lot of weight lifting and ab work, but my belly is still gross (muffin top, overhang, etc).