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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:
dines · 22/02/2013 11:17

Sorry for all the questions. Do I have to count calories on my feed days? Or will it be ok if I jus eat wen I'm hungry and until i am satisfied?

Itsaboatjack · 22/02/2013 11:20

silverbeetle that's good regarding you bp. I've just thought I'm seeing the nurse next week for my contraception injection and she always takes my bp so I'll have to make a note of it and ask her to look back at what it was 3 months ago. Mine is usually slightly on the high side so hopefully there will be a difference.

greenfig · 22/02/2013 11:23

Thanks daisy That will help keep me motivated when I get the inevitable gain tomorrow! I am happy for slow & steady, it is really encouraging to see it working for somebody in a similar situation as me!

Anja1Cam · 22/02/2013 11:36

Hello, after lurking for a few weeks I?d better say hello!

I started on Monday and am on my third fast today and it?s been okay so far. I found I could easily wait to 1pm before having my ?lunch? so that?s the pattern I?m following for now:

(Dinner the night before around 6pm)
6.30am coffee for breakfast - with some Milk (34 cal)
? lots of water and herbal teas (I get very cold)
1pm lunch: so far I?ve always had homemade soup in the

holmessweetholmes · 22/02/2013 11:45

Second fast day for me. I'm thinking of pushing through until dinner time rather than having lunch as, like some of the rest of you, it seems that once I eat it makes me hungrier! I really thought I'd feel starving, dizzy, headachy etc. but actually feel great so far. Thanks everyone for all the info and support on this thread!

missjive · 22/02/2013 11:55

Hi

Im new to mumset and the 5:2 diet and need a bit of help.

I Started with a fast day and stuck with 500 cals on Wednesday and weighed in at 9st ate normally yesterday and weighed 9st 4lb today has any one else had this ? I only had approx 1500 cals - fasting again today with lots of water and green tea but dreading the weekend incase i put even more on.

InspiredinUS · 22/02/2013 11:58

Hi! Happy Friday! Congratulations to all that saw the scales move!
I planned on fasting yesterday but I just felt too weird all day. Extremely tired dizzy an just plan out of it. I am close to TOM so that might have something to do with it. I did manage to only eat about1100/1200 calories so not to bad. I am going away with my hubby for the weekend so there will be a lot of food and wine involved but plan on doing a fast on Sunday.

I have done 5/ 500 calories fast so know I can get back on track!
Goodluck to everyone fasting and have a great weekend!:)

holmessweetholmes · 22/02/2013 11:58

Anja1Cam - I've been wondering about that too, and I thought a late snack on the night before a fasting day might interfere with the process can't find the reference to the 16 hours or 18 hours or whatever it is that you're meant to completely avoid food. Can anyone clarify? How many hours total fast are best, and does milk or a teeny snack count? Thanks!

InspiredinUS · 22/02/2013 12:02

Missjive I had similar experience. I think it's just your body adjusting to this WOE. Stick with it and it will work itself out. Your more likely to feel the loss/feel better before you see it on the scales. That has been my experience. Goodluck!

Daisy1407 · 22/02/2013 12:03

OOOH im interested in this milk comment too - please say it doesnt matter lol

frenchfancy · 22/02/2013 12:10

Adja I think the reason you can't find an answer is because no one knows. The research is still in fairly early stages so the finer details are not really known. When I started this 6 months ago I counted calories in drinks but didn't count them as breaking fast. Since then I have cut back to black coffee no sugar and mint tea so it is no longer an issue.

tomorrowweeat · 22/02/2013 12:11

I think to gain maximum benefit you need to do the minimum of 16 hours with no calories at all, not even small amounts in drinks. Anything other than water will need processing and digesting and prevent the body from being able to fully concentrate on repair. How much effect a few calories will have is unclear from research I have seen so far.

Another odd thing I have found is that the day after a fast I usually want to eat eggs! Eggs are far from my favourite food and certainly not what I dream of when fasting.

frenchfancy · 22/02/2013 12:17

Dimes There is no need to count calories on non-fast days. It is recommended for those whose weight loss has stalled to make sure they know what normal really is.

For meal ideas check out the recipe thread. Many of us habe found that things like veg curry/chilli/stir fry without the associated carbs gives you the most filling meal for your calories.

For those hoping for results I say just stick with it. I've been doing this 6 months and today hit the milestone of 10kg lost (22lb).Grin It isn't the quickest diet but for me it has been the easiest and most sustainable.

Anja1Cam · 22/02/2013 12:20

tomorrowweeat thanks for that - not been craving eggs yet, which is a shame as my fridge is still full of them (post-low carbing!)

mamamoomin2 · 22/02/2013 12:23

Thanks again for support folks :) feeling a bit better today. Got lots going on in life at the moment which I think started to make me lose focus/put focus negatively in wrong place. Think I will still lighten up on this WOE and not obsess over tdee... for the weekend at least.

Good news is that even after a snacky week I have still lost another 2lbs! So after starting at 12.3 I am now in the 10 stone zone at 10.13. This has also perked me up and am going to celebrate with some wine tonight :)

VenusRising · 22/02/2013 12:29

I'm feeling the munchies today and have had four packets of lentil curls...

Yesterday was a fast day, and I'm also very thirsty today, despite having plenty of water etc yesterday.

Not sure if I'm losing weight, but skin clearer and I feel less bloated round my tummy.

I've been fasting 5:2 for two weeks now. I quite like it as a wol but wonder if I will ever calm down and eat normally on the day after a fast!!!

Moodykat · 22/02/2013 12:40

Does it matter if you don't eat the TDEE on your feast days? I really struggle after a fast day - I think my stomach must shrink and it makes me less hungry!

greenfig · 22/02/2013 12:49

mamamoonin2 that's fantastic! Enjoy your wine tonightSmile
Re zero cal fast, I had milk in drinks & b'fast, albeit later than usual. I understood from the programme & book that MM has eggs for b'fast & a meal in the eve. I certainly would need to ease myself into going any longer than the hours that I did manage!

swallowedAfly · 22/02/2013 12:50

we are past midday Smile

did my dog walk and school run and got 5000steps done right off so hopefully that will help as i've noticed on non work days my activity levels are very low really which means possibly not getting as much out of a fast as i do when i'm working.

am also generally just trying to keep on the move.

wish i could train myself to like black coffee. i was actually wondering about taking a caffeine tablet of a fast morning so i could go without hot drinks without getting a headache. don't know if this is wise though

Anja1Cam · 22/02/2013 13:17

greenfig yes MM is doing the breakfast and dinner routine and getting 12hour fasts out of it. Now I found I get hungrier AFTER I eat... so it makes sense to hold off a long as possible and avoiding breakfast, and I was just wondering if I am 'breaking' my fasting spells with the milk I have in the morning - because if that were the case I'm "only" doing 12-6-6-12, MM is doing 12-12-12 and I was hoping I was doing 18-6-12 Grin
I might have to investigate how I feel about 'no milk' or other drinks in the morning , that would require instruction DH not to make me one on certain days, plenty of potential for Confused all round as he's operating on autopilot at that time Wink

greenfig · 22/02/2013 14:08

Yes same in our house Anja! Not sure at all what I did for my fast am all Confused, did I do it wrong?
I had late light supper on weds, tea w milk thurs late am followed by late b'fast approx 12, salad mid afternoon & light supper 7pm. Total cals incl milk 500 then nothing til this ams tea at 7am. Am planning on eating up to TDEE until next fast on Monday. That's ok isn't it? Sorry to be dim!

dines · 22/02/2013 14:21

I dont have scales to weigh myself so will have to measure. Is anyone else doin that?

mollymalone13 · 22/02/2013 14:24

I am a newbie to this WOE, I recently had a minor op so am unable to run or exercise for a few weeks :0(. I bought MM book ( on offer at sainsburys ) and then read it from cover to cover whilst waiting around . I thought I has this sussed in my head :- ie 2 non-consecutive days stick to 500 calories , then eat what I like ( within reason ) the other 5 days? So please excuse if this is a silly question , am I supposed to fast ( completely) for 12 or 16 hours????
I am on my second week now and I do think WOW what a revelation think I can actually do this and stick to it. Officially I am weighing on Tuesdays but did have a sneaky weigh in this morning and am pleased to report lost 4lb so far woohooo. Very happy xxx
Sorry again if its a silly questionxx

Anja1Cam · 22/02/2013 14:53

greenfig I would say that's absolutely fine but I'm a newbie to this WOE! I think I'll go a bit over my TDEE tomorrow for sure but planning/hoping to make it up with a 'half fast' on Sunday by skipping breakfast and light lunch and not making up for it later in the day! Have to add I can't fast on Monday and I'm trying to stick with 4:3 hence my complicated arrangements Grin

Anja1Cam · 22/02/2013 14:55

mollymalone13 sounds good to me - the time interval is kind of up to you, to some extent the longer the better but it's not absolutely clear yet more research needed. Also it affects the health benefits and not necessarily the weight loss effects. Well done on your first week!