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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! 13! Now, the baker's dozen!

991 replies

GreenEggsAndNichts · 19/02/2013 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!

If you've been at this a while and are moving on to maintaining your goal weight, there is a thread here to discuss that.

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.

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:
ELR · 21/02/2013 16:13

I am also really cold today, well my feet are. Kids want to go to park so that should keep me busy for an hour.
Keep up the good work everyone

orangeandlemons · 21/02/2013 16:17

Nonmummyet. Low sugar jelly is great for keeping munchers at bay during fast days.

Daisy1407 · 21/02/2013 16:21

I need to know what this bouillion is? Help lol

BetsyVanBell · 21/02/2013 16:32

Today's fast is so much easier than Monday's, on reflection I realise I've been a little under the weather for a few days and that's shifted so now I feel fantastic. Being fairly tested right now as DCs have invited friends round (why did I agree to it on a fast day I wonder?!) and it's a non-stop shout-a-thon in a very small house and it's too cold to kick them out into the garden.

Ah well, drinking herbal tea by the pot and keeping calm.

Had a very small lunch (bit of grated carrot, apple, & ginger with a spoon of natural yogurt & lemon juice) and saving the rest of my calories for a curry dinner I've already mostly made. Can't wait!

BetsyVanBell · 21/02/2013 16:33

daisy Bouillon is just a powdered light stock.

Thina · 21/02/2013 16:43

Hi, I was following this WOE and following these threads last Autumn. Wasn't doing too well so I gave up... Started again 4 weeks ago. Don't always keep to the 500 cals (I do TRY) and sometimes I have quite a low calorie second day. I always have a fast time of 16 hours. I have lost 4-5lbs and an inch off my waist so I am feeling pretty good about it.

Dotty342kids · 21/02/2013 16:53

Hello all, gosh can't believe how much has gone on on this thread since I went internet awol four days ago! Went to a family funeral on Mon, then up to Glasgow for a few days to visit a friend so have been eating far, far more than normal, and quite carb heavy so am actually dying to do my next fast as I really feel much lighter and energised on those days!
Normally i aim to weigh after my second fast day of the week, so that should be Sat but not sure I dare after this week!
Might leave it till next week instead.
Anyway, welcome all newbies Grin. I'm only on week 3 but lost 2.5lbs in that first fortnight which was a good steady start. Would not be surprised at all if that's back on by next weigh in but am carrying on regardless as it feels good and I'm certain the continued trend will be downwards!

Aftereightsarenolongermine · 21/02/2013 17:08

Don't forget new fasters that if you are finding it difficult boiled eggs are a great filling snack. Also as mentioned half a stock cube in hot water also does the trick tho no longer bother with that now.

notapizzaeater · 21/02/2013 17:23

I'm just here to polish my halo ! Took ds for a mcd's today and I had a black coffee and a garden side salad, no dressing ! 20 calories .......

Am sooooo cold and I never ever feel the cold, got 2 pairs of socks on and just boiling kettle for another peppermint tea and a hot water bottle. For tea I'm having a huge plate of mashed swede carrot and potato (was ready cubed and reduced in Tesco - 600g is 240 calories and have some butter buds (from Lakeland - tastes like butter but only 5 calories) and bought some crabsticks if I'm hungry later

BsshBossh · 21/02/2013 18:03

I'm on a fast day too. I do a as close as I can to a 24 hour fast so I haven't eaten anything since last night's dinner. It's going well, even with my visiting MIL and my DD eating bits here and there all day. I went to the gym and worked (from home) and have been guzzling water and liquorice & peppermint tea which satisfies my mouth hunger. I've even cooked a lentil dal for tonight's 500 cal dinner without tasting it I'm hardcore me!

nonmummyyet · 21/02/2013 18:13

Me again. Thanks to everyone for words of encouragement! It really helped me power through the afternoon slump when I'd normally head for the biscuit cupboard. The marmite trick totally worked too- I didn't even drink the whole thing I just needed something salty to satisfy me.

I'm definitely going to experiment with breaking my fast later (I like saying 'breaking my fast' because it makes me feel like I'm in Game of Thrones!) because I wasn't starving when I had my porridge this morning so maybe I could have waited a bit longer.

Anyway got quorn fillets marinated in soy sauce and cayenne pepper with, courgette, onion and pepper roasted veg, with steamed brocolli and kale for tea tonight - I can smell it now - can't wait!

Good luck all!

ELR · 21/02/2013 18:18

Just prepped my dinner for tonight got salmon parcels with soya sauce, chilli and ginger loads of broccoli and sweet potato wedges can't wait wish DH would hurry up and come home. Just given the kids pasta and pesto smells divine!

Bramblesinafield · 21/02/2013 18:22

Just had my root veg curry. Decided to have a larger portion rather than the recommended half a naan bread on the good food site.

Well done all!

BsshBossh · 21/02/2013 18:23

Marmite drinkers how much Marmite do you use (half a teaspoon, less, more)?

Newlook · 21/02/2013 18:51

Hello all diligent contributors and well done for staying strong and using this great forum. I am on fast number 4 - hardest yet - probably because on half term and routine all different. So have already had my max cals for the day - am finding fitness pal is v helpful in helping me to be honest with myself. Actually, I have overeaten on the cals today - have had 600. I wonder what that will mean? I guess it means I have had significantly fewer cals than what I would normally eat on a non fasting day but perhaps it impacts on extent of health benefits as body might not recognise lower cals and not trigger action for repair etc. But early days and I guess some fast days will be better than others. I will probably "need" a v low cal cupp soup later too....any advice or thoughts appreciated, thank you.

Top tip - found frozen smoked haddock and value white fish on line at Tesco which will be good for freezer - great for poaching and very filling.

Hasywell · 21/02/2013 18:52

Hi all, just completed my first 24hrs of fasting! I had a cuppa soup in my bag but the thought of being able to have something more when I got home later kept me going all day. Found that by mid afternoon I wasn't that 'hungry'. Treated myself to a cauliflower cheese and half a chicken breast dinner - very tasty and only 439 calories! Was also forced to drink black coffee as no milk at school as its half term - that was a first too! Today was much easier than Tuesday's fast - I definitely need to be kept busy on a Fast day!

Keep smiling fasters - the day is nearly over Smile

Newlook · 21/02/2013 18:54

well done all forum followers - I am on fast day 4 - hardest yet but thanks to myfitnesspal at least I know what I've eaten and won't kid myself.

Does anyone out there eat more than the 500 cals on fast days - sometimes? I am up to 600 and don't want to beat myself up about it. It is much less than I would normally eat so must be be some benefit!

Top tip - frozen smoked haddock and value white fish at Tesco to pop in freezer for poaching - and v filling.

Newlook · 21/02/2013 18:58

Oops - thought my other one hadn't loaded and lost it - but it appears twice!! sorry!

BsshBossh · 21/02/2013 19:11

NewLook I wouldn't stress about it. What's your TDEE? I think "officially" you can eat 25% of your TDEE which for me is around 560.

greenfig · 21/02/2013 19:27

Well that's all my cals for today gone, eek! Just enough of my milk allowance for a cup of teaShock Feel fine now but got the wobbles at 3.30 & had a bowl of salad leaves, celery & cottage cheese which surprisingly did the trick! Was REALLY tired at 5ish, could hardly make it home from school run without closing my eyes.
Am planning on next fast on monday but am making a cake for a friends b'day. Could I fast sun 5pm - mon 5pm & have a small piece of cake mon eve do you think? Tues won't work for me to fast next week but I could do a 'light' day on tues.
Grin @ Game of thrones!

BetsyVanBell · 21/02/2013 19:33

The benefits mainly come from the length of time you go without food enabling your body to focus on cell repair rather than, as Mosely puts it, keeping your cells in "go go" mode (the science is all there in the links - do check them out). The calorie limit is essentially there to make the whole process endurable rather than nigh-on impossible - there are a few on here who manage the whole day without anything, and that's fine too, better probably. A 100 calories here and there won't make much of a difference but it's best to aim for the 500 most fast days I would think. You can still lose weight as it's a very low calorie day, as long as you don't overdo it on non-fast days. I went over today as well but normally I don't.

I always feel I need to make every calorie count so try and aim for optimum nutrition rather than simply to fill up and a result of this is that I'm now doing that for all my meals! Though admittedly, sometimes I just want to carb out - yesterday was a big jacket potato, one half with cheese, beans & butter but I managed to make the other half more nutritious with a medley of grated things (carrot, apple, turnip, ginger) plus humus. Yum.

InspiredinUS · 21/02/2013 19:33

Hi! I'm a newbie to posting although I have been reading allllllll the posts since I started this WOE a few weeks ago. There are so many posts and such inspiration! Anyway, I am on my 6th fast today. Have been doing good and actually love this WOE! I did start doing 4:3 (this is my 2nd week on 4:3) because I have a trip coming up at the beginning of August and would like to be more comfortable in my bathing suit. Have about 10-15lbs to loose. Have not been weighing myself because it hurts my motivation sometimes. But have been measuring and have dropped about 1/2inch from my hips/waist/arms/chest so shrank all over an happy with that. I am a size 10 right now, would like to get to a 6. When I hit or get close to goal I will go back to 5:2. Thanks for all the tips and great stories!!

InspiredinUS · 21/02/2013 19:35

Opps, my vacation is beginning of April...;)

Daisy1407 · 21/02/2013 19:56

Fast day meal done - another M&S meal! Hot choc time now! Well done everybody who has completed a fast day today. It's nearly the weekend and we can eat yeyyyyyyyy xx

Newlook · 21/02/2013 19:56

Thanks Bssh - that's helpful - my 25% would be 525 so am still over but as long as this isn't the norm, I can see it's fine. I had lost 3lbs 6 oz in a week as at Monday, after 3 fasts, so we will see how it's looking on Mon/Tues. My fasting days have varied so far, so I think monthly weigh ins are what I should really focus on, as it seems everyone is up and down for various reasons.

Well done everyone for today Smile