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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:
politico · 18/02/2013 09:31

Fast day number 3 for me today - it's also my TOM so had a bit of chocolate over the weekend so not sure how I'll be feeling today, probably have withdrawal symptoms as I'd been fine, not missing chocolate, then scoffed a whole G&B bar last night Blush. So far, just water and black coffee. Soup for lunch and an omelette for tea planned.

Can I ask a question please? Has anyone noticed their breath being a bit, erm, ketoney on fast days? I presume that means things are working with this WOE, but it's not pleasant for everyone else - any solutions other than sugar free mints?

Thanks all - good luck today!

BetsyVanBell · 18/02/2013 09:39

politico I remember someone suggesting chewing on herbs - parsley or mint spring to mind - might well be on the tips & links thread linked to above.

HappilyChatterly · 18/02/2013 09:45

Hi folks, been trying to read as much as I can about 5:2. I have a lot to loose, around 10 stone, maybe more, maybe less- it depends how I feel once I get there. Could I loose that much weight on this diet? I don't mind how long it takes. Within two years is fine. A lot of people who are doing, or have done 5:2 seem to have had a lot less to loose than me. I have tried most other diets. I just love the idea that I only have to keep it up for a day at a time IYSWIM.

BetsyVanBell · 18/02/2013 09:53

HappilyChatterly People with a lot to lose seems to lose it quickly when fasting - there's no reason why you shouldn't give this a go! Maybe go and find the 1st few 5:2 diet threads to see where the early adopters started. You do need to be careful that you're not over-eating on non fast days though - do work out your TDEE (there's more info in the links above) and try and stick to that on non-fast days - people find My Fitness Pal a good way of logging your calorie intake. Once you've been doing that a while you probably won't need to anymore. Apologies if you already know all this.

Anyway, just go for it! It's so easy Smile (mostly!)

ever2optimistic · 18/02/2013 10:01

Fast day today - was going to fast yesterday but was out with friends on Sat evening and felt I needed the carbs yesterday to counteract mild hangover type headache. Going well today - haven't felt the need for breakfast yet so will keep going as long as I can. politico - yes my breath does get a bit ketoney but I use mints, as you do. I think it's a good sign of fat burning. Good luck to all for half term and avoiding children's snacks/treats :) My DD is in her teens so not so relevant to my eating habits/temptations, fortunately. I think all of you with younger children have it harder.

HappilyChatterly · 18/02/2013 10:05

Thank you so much for your reply. I'm hoping that by not feeling restricted on "feast" days, it will mean I don't go mad. When I know I can have something, if I want to, I can take it or leave it. If I think I can't have something I want it all the more. Even on fast days I can just remind myself, have it tomorrow. I have been on one diet or another for the last 10 years and have put on a stone a year. Obviously the psychology of following strict rules around eating does not work for me. To be able to think, in a few hours I can have whatever I want, will hopefully work for me.

The ironic thing is I actually prefer healthy foods, I think there is a lot of self sabotage involved when I am usually on a diet.

ever2optimistic · 18/02/2013 10:11

HappilyChatterly, that's really how it works so well. You hit the nail on the head.

ErikNorseman · 18/02/2013 10:14

I eat tic tacs to freshen breath and it keeps thoughts of eating away too.

GreenEggsAndNichts · 18/02/2013 10:26

Hello everyone! Back from holiday, sunny Fuerteventura was just what I needed. And thankfully, the sun is out here in the midlands as well, so my spirit hasn't sunk too much upon return!

My last fast day was the day we flew down, so a week ago Sunday. Shock I'd intended on doing another, but our days consisted of so little outside of trekking to and from the beach, that meals were really the only big decision we had to make on those days. The food was lovely, as well.

I haven't weighed in but I suspect I've gained a few pounds. No worries, today is a fast day and I'll just get back on with things.

Hope everyone is doing well. :) I'll be responding to PMs soon, btw.

OP posts:
DoubleMum · 18/02/2013 10:53

HappilyChatterly I have a lot to lose too, and I think I will lose more doing calorie counting on MFP so I've decided I'm doing mainly that but using 5:2 (or 4:3) as a resource when I have a heavy weekend. I will be going back to it when I've lost a lot of weight as it's more important to me at the moment to try and get weight off.
What's your MFP name, it really helps to 'friend' people and get support.

IsletsOfLangerhans · 18/02/2013 10:54

Good morning. I've just started today with 5:2 - today is my first fast and need some motivation - my stomach is rumbling already!! Had a bowl of porridge and planning of having a big bowl of lentil and veg soup this evening. Lots of herbal teas during the day planned too.....

BetsyVanBell · 18/02/2013 10:56

Sounds lovely Greeneggs I don't think I'd have any desire to fast on holiday but would probably look forward to doing so when I got back!

And look - we didn't finish the thread while you were away Shock!

Chislemum · 18/02/2013 11:00

Something I wanted to share that helped me: tin of lentils with a bit of stock and cayenne pepper and two tomatoes/pepper. cook until hot. filling and makes me happy. have not counted the calories but seems low. quick and yummy food.

BetsyVanBell · 18/02/2013 11:01

Hi Islets, ooh it's tough when you start with breakfast! Unlocks the hunger for the day - get busy and distract yourself & keep that kettle going... I would highly recommend avoiding breakfast next time if you can, or at least delaying it as long as possible - makes all the difference (well for some of, we're all different aren't we!). Your soup is probably quite low calorie so you could pop a snack or two of raw carrot or some strawberries & blueberries to keep you going til the evening.

BetsyVanBell · 18/02/2013 11:06

chislemum sounds lovely - lentils are quite high in cals compared to other veg (I was surprised when I realised this) so that's a proper meal's worth rather then a snack - maybe around the 350 calorie mark?

I must say that the only downside to fasting is that I am now horribly aware of many food's calorie rating, I never wanted to be that person. Oh well, the benefits are worth itWink.

ConsiderablyBiggerBuns · 18/02/2013 11:08

Hello All, checking in as may be in need of some support today. Week 2, fast day no. 3 for me, but I am at home with kids as half term and have never managed to fast at home before. I am out this evening with no access to food so that should help. I really need to be strong this week as MFP has been a bit of an eye opener. I realised that on workdays, I do stick to my TDEE fairly well without much thought or deprivation but, deary me, the weekends once I have factored wine, family meals and biscuits into the equation - not so good. It's not surprising that I do put on weight when I think I am eating normally. Anyway, has made me almost look forward to the control of a fast day and I am doing fine so far, no breakfast and just hot water and lemon to drink, am hoping to get out in the sunshine for an energetic walk this afternoon. Good luck to everyone else fasting today.

BetsyVanBell · 18/02/2013 11:21

Hello CBB, I'm fasting too and got through a half term last week - including being stuck indoors for a whole day with one ill DC - and it wasn't as bad as I'd thought. My stomach is growling more than usual today but will be having a lunch (Low GI bread sandwich of thin slice of ham with masses of salad plus natural yogurt in place of butter/mayo, and some blueberries) in about an hour. Lots of herbal tea being drunk....

Bramblesinafield · 18/02/2013 11:39

Hello. I'm on a fast day and holding on until I have some soup for lunch as otherwise I want to eat everything in sight. Lots of herbal tea and fizzy mineral water here. Going to have my usual lentil/root/lo fat yog curry for tea, otherwise I can't sleep for feeling hungry!

angiejellybean · 18/02/2013 11:40

Morning, started 5:2 day and the thought of not eating until dinner time has filled me with dread. Im 5'2 and have at least 3 stone to loose so need to fully embrace this WOE and make it work. Using MFP to calorie count and ive calculated my TDEE.

Wish me luck Hmm

ThinkICan · 18/02/2013 11:51

Nurse Ezzza - hi there again under a new name! The one good thing about a plateau is that you maintain that weight even if you overeat a bit, as the body keeps to its set point :). Bssh - great to hear about your tummy or the lack of it!

Em2905 · 18/02/2013 11:52

Morning everyone.
Yesterday was my fast day. I managed, for the first time, to last all day and save my calories for my Sunday roast. I enjoyed every mouthful and was amazed my easy the day was.

Everything fell apart at round 10pm, instead of forgetting food and going to bed, my willpower failed me and I ended up devouring left over chicken and Pringles! I had managed to fast for 24 hours, 10pm till 10pm, and because of this i convince myself that it was ok to eat.Confused

I feel so let down today. It's like all my fasting yesterday has gone to waste. I know that today is a new day or intact a new week, but I can't snap out of it. This is why others diets never work for me, as in the end the willpower goes!!!

Sorry for the downer, I just need to get it off my chest!!!

Emma

Aftereightsarenolongermine · 18/02/2013 11:59

Welcome back greeneggs

ezzza I'm also experiencing another plateau so will carry on 5:2 & eventually weight will shift.

happily I've 6 stone to lose in total & have lost just over half of that I alternate between 5:2 & 4:3. I stated this WOE beginning of August.

em don't beat yourself up you did 24hours so will reap some of the benefits.

VenusRising · 18/02/2013 12:00

Well done everyone and hello to the fellow casters today!

I have a question: how do you block aggressive comments from people who have noticed your weight loss?

So far I've had
You're disappearing
You seem to be vanishing
You're melting away
To point blank accusations: are you losing weight?

I just find that emotionally these are very upsetting?
Why is this?

I don't have a lot to lose, but have managed to befriend some strangely envious mummies at the school gates I think.....

I need strategies!

VenusRising · 18/02/2013 12:01

Fellow Fasters, I mean!

Daisy1407 · 18/02/2013 12:11

HI all

Em2905 dont be too hard on yourself you managed 24 hours thats fab - just needed to fall asleep faster :)

I fasted yesterday too and it took me ages to fall asleep last night i was lying there thinking about food for about 3 hours! Its hard work! but today i can eat anything i want (i usually fast on a Monday) but its my bf bday so going to Bellini's lunchtime for some food - however bellinis isnt on MFP so i cannot work out how many Kcals ill be eating - ill come back and try and find another italian on MYP which has near enough the same foods.

You can do this fellow fasters -your half way through a monday x

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