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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 · 10/02/2013 20:00

man before this WOE it would have been 1 now it's a 6. Interesting....

I've realised today that my thighs don't rub against each other any more, I can't remember it not being like that for about 14 years.

BetsyVanBell · 10/02/2013 20:05

Mango That's ace - it's a revelation isn't it? How have we been tricked into panicking about hunger for so long?

manvsfood apologies - called you by the wrong abbreviated handle. Was attempting to catch up on this and another forum whilst playing a boring boardgame with the family.

We went to a Chinese all-you-can-eat place today - managed not to overeat but am suffering now from oversalted & oversweetened food. Both the 8yo and I decided we would avoid sugar tomorrow (I'm fasting anyway) - I love that he understands the effects of less-than-optimal foods can have on your body already. I wonder how he'll get on tomorrow Hmm.

Lackadaisycal The TDEE is just a rough guide to aim for on non-fast days and hopefully matches up approximately to your normal daily routine. It's best not to get too hung up on the numbers. The important thing is to make sure you're only having 500 calories on fast days - you can have this any way you like, though you'll get the most milage out of eating lots of veg and a little protein and avoiding carbs. Once you get a couple of fast days under your belt you'll find your appetite adapts and hopefully your non-fast days will look after themselves. I don't calorie count on non-fast days and find my week days are more slimline while weekends tend to involve more food. Do have a read through the tips & links thread for more practical info. Do go for it and let us know how you get on Smile!

ManVsFoodRocks · 10/02/2013 20:31

Oh that's fine Betsy I knew who you meant!

Yay Franny, well done, and I'm so glad you're feeling bonnier! What a fab start. Enjoy your day of lovely eating today, and good luck for your next fast!

After that is so interesting. Perhaps that's one of the key aspects of this WOE in terms of weight loss - something as simple and fundamental as a drastically reduced appetite...

Em2905 · 10/02/2013 20:48

Hi everyone
Newbie, so hope you don't mind me posting!?!
I wanted to post to ask if anyone has found that they have lost inches rather than lbs?
I have just finished my 4th week of fasting and have lost 5lbs, although I have seen no weight loss some weeks I seem to be losing weight from around my middle.
Has anyone else found this or is it all in my head?
Thank you for the inspiration!

Em

Aftereightsarenolongermine · 10/02/2013 20:54

man yesterday I made myself a toasted sausage sandwich for lunch, I slice of toast (gluten free) & I sausage. Previous to this I would have had two slice of toast (if not 3) & definitely 3 sausages. Not because I was hungry but just because I wanted it, but yesterday I threw the other 2 sausages away. Me! Unheard of! :)

AnnaK · 10/02/2013 21:00

Just wanted to share... (I'm 5ft 7 btw)
Week 0 11st 92 cm waist
Week 1 10st 10
Week 2 10st 9 86cm waist
Week 3 10st 7 83cm waist

I have had to borrow my husband's belt to hold work trousers up!
SOOO excited.

BsshBossh · 10/02/2013 21:05

OMG VV49 that blood work is amazing! Really inspirational. Thanks so much for posting.

Man I'd be a 5. Before starting 5:2, it would have been 2.

Yey franny well done!

cardiffmummy · 10/02/2013 21:27

So just coming to the end of a normal day. Have been contemplating having some chocolate all evening - but now realise that I am not hungry, and will regret eating it just for the sake of it (and will probably feel quite sick!!). I've been doing this WOE for a month now. Weighed myself yesterday and have lost a stone Grin!! Haven't repeated my measurements for a few weeks but definitely feeling slimmer on my hips and bum, and I can now do my belt up at the 3rd notch whereas could barely manage the 1st notch a few weeks ago!!

Have a slight problem fitting in my fast days this week because of birthdays, family get togethers etc. but I'm sure it will work out.

Well done to all of you. I don't post very often but I follow the thread avidly and find it really motivating Smile.

Piebaldrider · 10/02/2013 21:31

It?s been a week or more since i popped by and I?m so pleased to see how fast things are moving round here. I can?t read all the posts but I?m sure everyone is doing well and getting all the help and support they need. My head has been in a different place since i hit the 2 stone milestone and i have been spending more time thinking about me and how much i have changed. When i look a little deeper i see i haven?t actually changed but i have just let the real me out a bit more and the more she comes out the more she becomes the bigger part of me. All of this is a result of changing the way i eat and think about food. I like most people have difficulties in my life and obstacles i still need to work around but none of my problems seem like a problem anymore and i am confident i can find a solution to anything. I am only doing 5.2 at the minute but will step it back up to 4.3 when the weather is a bit warmer, i get terribly cold when fasting and as i spend a good deal of time out in the cold i never seem to get warm. I have come to think that doing 4.3 for a couple of months is like having a gastric band fitted , your stomach shrinks and you just can?t eat the same portions as you used to. Currently I am fitter and happier every day and my dream is to have a bikini fit body by the summer! For the record i have never intentionally restricted myself from eating anything on a non fast day and i don?t follow any rules on fast days other than try to only eat an evening meal and try not to exceed 600 calories but i admit that 700 is not unheard of however i never beat myself up over it i just move on and smile. Keep your goals in mind and every day take another step to become the person you really are and not the overweight person in the baggy jumper like i was. I?m having fun changing my hair colour and the types of clothes i wear, i get so many comments at work and everyone is now very interested in what i have been doing because they see it works and they see i haven?t been deprived or miserable., they see a happier more outgoing person and she?s having fun.

BetsyVanBell · 10/02/2013 21:37

Yay! Congratulations cardiffmummy Grin

frannyfeet brilliant news, well done Smile - I've had a bit of a feast day too (not that 1600cals is actually a high calorie day!!) so no way I'm going near the scales until after a fast or two!

ManVsFoodRocks · 10/02/2013 21:40

Piebald thanks for posting that ... and major well dones Thanks

Newlook · 10/02/2013 22:03

Thank you Piebald - well done, you are doing so well and your entry is really motivating Smile; how long have you been on the plan? I love the way you described your journey and it is both reassuring and encouraging. Onwards and upwards Thanks

Newlook · 10/02/2013 22:05

AnnaK thank you for sharing - sometimes stats is just what you need (especially for me the day before I start my first fast). Well done and enjoy!

npg1 · 10/02/2013 22:25

Well tomorrow im going to go all in and start by having a fasting day. Probably gonna kill me as I will be at work all day.

Need ideas for lunch, was thinking of a cup a soup, dont have the option to heat anything up. Soup and 2 ryvitas? Any othwr ideas would be great, no eggs in the house!

chipmonkey · 10/02/2013 23:12

cup a soup sounds OK but I think protein helps you last longer, IYKWIM. Do you have a slice of ham/chicken or turkey?

franny, glad you're back on track. Knew you could keep it up!

sausages51 · 10/02/2013 23:19

3

emmafifema · 10/02/2013 23:43

hi,
I'm starting the 5:2 diet tomorrow and that will be my first fasting day. My question is this:
I have to take a lot of medication throughout the day (22 tablets in 3 doses) and In order to do so I have to eat something each time.....what can I do on fasting days about this? How can I deal with it?

Thanks x

ThinkICan · 11/02/2013 05:53

Someone suggested avoiding grains for a week to see if it would move me off the plateau. Was it you literary geek? Wanted to ask - did it work for you?

Ezzza · 11/02/2013 05:59

Well I'm really looking forward to Chinese New Year being over now. I've been forced to live on junk food for the past week because all the places that sell proper food are closed, leaving only Macdonalds, KFC and the like open to feed me (can't cook for myself, no access to useable kitchen), so I'm not holding out much hope for a favourable reading on the scales tomorrow (my weekly weigh day).

Some friends took pity on me last night and invited me to eat with them so I had Chinese-Japanese-Korean fusion for dinner yesterday. A very welcome break from the junk. Another friend who has lived here for years tells me places start opening up again in another couple of days, so here's hoping I'll be back on decent food soon.

As if that wasn't bad enough, the wireless router in our building went out on Saturday, and because it's Chinese New Year there's no-one around who can fix it, so I've not been able to come on Mumsnet for ages. Sad

So here I am, sat in Macdonalds again using their wifi. I really didn't think an internet connection could possibly be any worse than the one in my building, but today I find out I was wrong. Sorry for not responding to anyone's posts but I'm just posting this before the battery in my laptop dies. I'll go home shortly and read yesterday's post with a cuppa in hand. Good old English tea to help fix a bad situation eh? Wink

Aftereightsarenolongermine · 11/02/2013 06:22

emma I take around 14-21 tablets a day depending on the day of the week. I spoke to my consultants before embarking on this WOE to make sure it was ok & what to do about the medication. I suggest you do that first because the last thing you want is to mess your body up. Luckily for me my docs were very positive & on fasting days revised how I take meds.

ThinkICan · 11/02/2013 06:33

Good suggestion Aftereights. With so many meds, it's better to keep the doctors informed and helping revise the schedules.

ThinkICan · 11/02/2013 06:34

What will we do without the internet? My heart bleeds for you Ezzza!

swallowedAfly · 11/02/2013 06:54

it is so good reading everyone's successes and good results. very encouraging for me.

well i've had a weird one. the last time i weighed myself was after a fast on friday and i was 11stone10 and happy with that as it meant i'd lost 4lbs in about 9 days and two fasts.

this morning i thought i would get on the scales and see what the damage was for 3 days of eating and i was 11stone8 Confused but Grin

so that is 6lbs in 12days. i think maybe my metabolism has woken up or something.

fast day tomorrow as i'm in work so it will be easier but i won't worry too much if i don't fit in another this week (half term) as i can just make sure the next week is done well.

think i love this method.

emma - you can always have a boiled egg and take tablets in morning. then a boiled egg and take lunchtime dose and still have around 320calories for your dinner and take third dose afterwards. i possibly sound a bit obsessed with boiled eggs but it's because i find they sustain me without triggering hunger.

swallowedAfly · 11/02/2013 06:57

other good thing about boiled eggs (it's true i'm obsessed) is you can cook them the night before and then when you want to eat one it's just 'there'. you don't have to cook or handle food or even go to the canteen and be surrounded by food options - you just have a boiled egg in your handbag.

ThinkICan · 11/02/2013 07:03

Good show swallowed!

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