Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

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:
Moodykat · 18/02/2013 12:13

Hi! Have been lurking for ages and have finally decided that today is fast day! Have had 2 cups of tea with milk in but have just discovered I actually prefer black tea now, so that is a result (I drink A LOT of tea!). Have just had to cave in and have a cuppa soup as my tummy was grumbling so much and I thought it might be better to have something in my stomach before my lunchtime walk!
I'm doing my fast days at work and two of my colleagues are also doing it so it's nice to be able to chat it over and gnash teeth at each other!
I would like to lose about 2 stone if I can - we'll see!
It's so nice to see people doing well and feeling better.

Daisy1407 · 18/02/2013 12:19

Good luck MoodyKat :) just drink loads throughout the day x

Gherkinsmummy · 18/02/2013 12:24

VenusRising - they are probably jealous. I'd beam at them and say thanks!

Fasting today - have had several cups of tea and a clementine. Logged my calories last week and even doing only 6:1 I was over 3000 calories under my weekly target. So am going to stick to 6:1 as I only want to lose a bit of weight, its more about the health benefits.

Off to Crussh for their prawn noodle pot (161 calories) for a delicious filling lunch.

parrotsandcarsnips · 18/02/2013 12:34

i started off fasting yesterday but shift work over the weekend got the better of me and I ended up breaking it about midday. Not to worry I will try again this week. So far definite changes to waist line and weight (although normal BMI) so wasn't expecting that.
My tip for all newbie fasters, eat as late in the day as you can cause once you start the hunger switch is on! The fast days do get easier as others are saying, drink plenty, veg bouillion good if you like savoury taste, highlights hot choc for sweet.

BumBiscuits · 18/02/2013 12:54

I'm on my fifth fast today. I've just had a 140 cal tin of M&S chicken and noodle soup.

Up until now I've been having a large bag of grated beetroot and salad leaves with low fat dressing (soy, chilli and coriander, from M&S) for my fast lunches.

I must say I prefer the salad and dressing (for 85 cals) to the soup, in terms of taste and how full it makes me feel.

I'm 9lbs down after four weeks. The first two were calorie counting and second two have been 5:2.

venus try to ignore anyone who is negative about your weightloss. You're doing it for you, not them.

lifeistooshort · 18/02/2013 12:54

Gosh this thread is moving way too fast for me! I thought I would check in nonetheless. Today is my second fast day and I followed the advice I was given last week and tried to fast for at least 16 hours. I had dinner at six last night and finsihed at 18.40 so aimed for breakfast at 10.40. The I was doing ok so I thought I woudl be waiting a bit longer. I stil haven't eaten and am not struggling at all (I will once I caught up with the recent posts though). Frankly I am amazed I used to be that person who used to nearly faint at 11.00 and always needs snacks and here I am fasting until 13.00. I thing going without breakfast might be the way forward for me as I really the health benefits on top of the weight loss.

I have decided not to weight myself for four weeks (if I manage to resist!) but I have already noticed that I can tie my belt one notch tighter!

BlackMaryJanes · 18/02/2013 13:01

Is there evidence to show that the longer the fast - the better? Sorry if this sounds like a silly question.

Is there an optimum fasting length? (where only water and other non-cal items are consumed). I normally go 22 hours without cals on my fast days.

HappilyChatterly · 18/02/2013 13:48

Aftereightsarenolongermine- thanks for that, its very encouraging! If I lost at that rate I would definitely meet my target within two years. I know that sounds like a long time but, in two years I will either be two stone heavier (seem to put on a stone a year) or I could have lost all of the extra weight! Also with so much to loose, the slower I do it the better condition my skin will be in I recon.

This really sounds like the way to go. First fast day today. Just went to the cinema with DS and fancied going for a maccys afterwards. Oh well, can just go tomorrow if I really want to. :)

Daisy1407 · 18/02/2013 13:56

Went to Bellini's for dinner - Had penne pasta with chilli tomatos and garlic and chicken - with a sprinkle of cheese - i ve looked for something along these lines on MFP and i have put in 860Kcal - you think this is enough calories or should i enter more x

GreenEggsAndNichts · 18/02/2013 13:56

BMJ I don't have figures to hand, but the other doctors involved in the Horizon special said the longer the fast, the better. One said it was ideal to fast for 24 hours, but that this 500 calorie figure had been introduced to make it more doable. MM doesn't do a 24 hours, I am not even sure if he does a 16 hr fast (anyone know?) because I know he has breakfast on his fast days.

For the health reasons, I recall it was something to do with there being a period of time which needed to pass before the cells would go into repair mode.

For weight loss, going as long as I can with the fast makes it all much easier for me. I can fairly easily go until dinnertime without eating, whereas, once I have any bit of food, I start thinking about when I can have that next bit!

Hopefully someone else can come along and give you specifics. :)

OP posts:
GreenEggsAndNichts · 18/02/2013 14:02

Daisy restaurant servings of pasta are often easily 2-3x the normal suggested amount, as well as featuring a lot of butter or oil. I can't comment about Bellini's specifically, but would say you'd want to find a comparable restaurant serving rather than homemade, if you didn't already.

(sorry if you already did this and I'm just repeating! Grin I could do a lot better telling you how many calories were in it if I could see it myself, so maybe if someone else here has eaten there they can be more helpful)

OP posts:
GreenEggsAndNichts · 18/02/2013 14:04

BMJ I meant to add, the comments from the other doctors from the Horizon special were done as follow-ups to the programme. A blogger contacted them personally and they gave responses, perhaps via Twitter or email. This is my vague remembrance of things, anyway! It probably happened 5 threads ago- I suspect the links or posts were copied into B&W's links and tips thread.

OP posts:
GreenEggsAndNichts · 18/02/2013 14:06

Welcome to the thread, moodykat and lifeistooshort! Thanks

OP posts:
Gherkinsmummy · 18/02/2013 14:12

I think MM does two 12 hour fasts - from dinner to breakfast and from breakfast to dinner. He also skips lunch quite regularly as part of maintaining.

JK66 · 18/02/2013 14:24

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by Mumsnet for breaking our Talk Guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

virginposter · 18/02/2013 14:57

em2905 don't worry about your fast yesterday, some pringles and chicken are not the end of the world and also maybe not too many calories either. Sometimes on my fast days I have less than 500 (not often) most times I have exactly 500 and sometimes if I feel really hungry I give myself and extra 100 or so without guilt and I am still losing (only 2lbs until I've lost 2 stone).
Did I read correctly that you fasted from 10pm till 10pm? If so, maybe that is a little too late in the day and you just got too hungry. I've been doing about 7pm to 7pm ish which is late enough not to go to bed hungry.
Stick with it and if you do overeat a little on a fast day again then how about not having breakfast the following morning (I do that too)?

virginposter · 18/02/2013 14:59

greeneggs nice to see you back and looking so healthy from all that sunshine Wink

PrincessSparkle86 · 18/02/2013 15:05

Hello can i join you? Ive been doing the 5:2 diet for a week and a half and just wondered is it ok if i bob in with probably a few questions every niw and then? Haha!
Ive previously been on BIwI's low carb thread... I do keep my carbs to a minimum as ive found certain foods irritate my IBS! Are any of you on MFP? X

silverbeetle · 18/02/2013 15:13

Wow, only been away for a day, this moves so fast. Haven't had a chance to read everything yet but welcome to the 'newbies' and some great results from others. It's so inspiring I'm addicted to this thread, thank goodness it's calorie free!

I'm on my 3rd fast today and have also noticed a strange taste in my mouth, sort of sweet/metallic, is this the ketoney taste people have mentioned?

I can't wait to be able to buy smaller jeans, good going JK66. Quite interested in the Graze boxes, they also look good for normal days and taking to work. Noticed that only some products have a calorie value - are these the ones you choose from?

Looking forward to dinner........

Em2905 · 18/02/2013 15:43

Thanks for everyone's motivating thoughts! I've given myself a talking too.
One failed fast day does not put to waste the 7lbs I've already lost!!!
Can I ask...

Do you have a lot or a little to lose? I've got 6st to lose and wonder if anyone is in the same boat!?

PrincessSparkle86 · 18/02/2013 15:57

I'd like to lose 3 stone.. Ive already lost a stone from low carbing before but id still like to lose more. Im trying to go by fitting in my clothes better (although i do hop on the scales every morning) lol Grin

swallowedAfly · 18/02/2013 15:59

afternoon Smile

4pm on fast day and no eating so far. had two cups of coffee with milk this morning and lots of water since. may have a cup of tea in a minute.

i'm so mindful that the longer i put it off the easier it will be.

not sure what i'll eat later. probably eggs. i would love to go all the way to 8pm eat some scrambled eggs and go to sleep instantly but not sure i'll manage that.

my pedometer arrived today - will start wearing it tomorrow.

Daisy1407 · 18/02/2013 16:27

GreenEggsAndNichts - thanks for the comment on calories :) ill try and be good tonight however its an eat day so im not gonna be too strict! Fast day 2mo :) x Hope everyone is doing well its nearly 5pm! woooooo

blueberryboybait · 18/02/2013 16:31

On my 3rd fast day, and it'a not too bad, I tend to last until 1ish when I have some little melba toasts (75 cals) and cottage cheese. The supper at about 8 when DH gets home. DH is finding this very difficult but he is a habit eater, he munches after supper even if he is not hungry and during the day he always has food on his desk to pick at. He has breakfast then supper and on non fast days I have been asking him if he really 'needs' the thing he is about to eat and by stopping his picking during the whole week the weight is dropping off him.

swallowedAfly · 18/02/2013 16:31

who else is fasting today? how are you doing? 4.30pm! this is the downhill stretch Grin i tend to go to bed so early on fast days.

cup of tea is going down very nicely indeed. i wish i liked black tea and coffee but i really, really don't. the only way to lose those milk calories would be no tea or coffee and then i'd have a hideous headache from caffeine withdrawal.