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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:
Dotty342kids · 23/02/2013 16:48

Had fast day yesterday, eating normally today. As usual I always think I'll eat everything in sight on a "normal" day, but I just don't! Had a buttery crumpet for breakfast, nice fresh bread and cheese / salad etc for lunch. Made scones this afternoon so treated myself to one with jam and cream and then will be having a lovely chicken stir fry for tea. Mind you, I have got a bag of Wispa bites to eat later. Yummy!
I am definitely less inclined to just mindlessly scoff, even when I'm not on a fast day. It's great.
Irritatingly my DH who is doing this, has lost 4lbs in two weeks which is more than me. Typical!!

BlackMaryJanes · 23/02/2013 18:07

seriously, all is well. why the obsession about this weight you perceive yourself as having to lose? is everything else ok in your life?

I used to be a stone lighter than this - before xmas (while breastfeeding!) I would really like to get back to that state. I feel horrid as I currently am. All my clothes are tighter and uncomfortable. I'm perplexed at putting all the work in - but not getting the results! :(

countryhousehotel · 23/02/2013 18:07

BMJ I read this you posted earlier:

BlackMaryJanes Tue 19-Feb-13 14:33:11
GreenEggsAndNichts don't mention the c word!!!! I've had to wean myself off chocolate because I've found myself binging on it during non-fast days

I don't think you've been doing this WOE for very long so maybe you need to give it more time. If you were bingeing on chocolate on your eating days then maybe you haven't had enough time NOT doing that for it to start working iyswim.

And how come you are fasting and breastfeeding? I thought that was a no no?

Talkinpeace · 23/02/2013 18:08

BMJ - you'll get there. But instant results are never sustainable

BetsyVanBell · 23/02/2013 18:10

Nice blog post from Fatty Fights Back (great blog name!) about the starvation mode myth - no doubt posted on one of these threads before but worth a repost. I wish MFP didn't bandy about the 'starvation mode' phrase.

swallowedAfly · 23/02/2013 18:11

but were you healthy before christmas bmj? i mean was that weight your usual weight or something that happened as a result of breastfeeding and being too busy to eat/stressed etc?

i know people can be low weights and healthy but i am wary of the fact that weight obsession can also be dangerous and also can be a point of focus for control and self bashing.

how old is your baby?

silverbeetle · 23/02/2013 19:07

BMJ I think it may be worth a trip to see your GP, whilst we can advise you about the 5:2 diet, none of us are medical experts (please correct me if I'm wrong).

There are a couple of things which concern me, firstly that you're trying to fast whilst you're still breast feeding, which may effect the quality of your milk and your baby's health plus it must be so exhausting I'm surprised you have any energy. Secondly the fact that you say you have put on a stone since Xmas whilst dieting. Again if you are eating sensibly this is unusual especially when breast feeding as this usually helps burn off cals. It might help talking to the doc or health visitor about your weight and ask for a check up.

I do sympathise as it's horrid feeling uncomfortable.

Talkinpeace · 23/02/2013 19:11

several people on these threads are fasting while breastfeeding - and remember that every Muslim mum in the world does so for four weeks a year - so that in itself is not an issue

but the weight gain is worth checking with a GP who has access to your records .

countryhousehotel · 23/02/2013 19:24

talkinpeace thats interesting as I thought breastfeeding women were exempt during ramadam, just what I thought though, and obviously i was wrong! Still, they are not restricted to 500 cals during the non-fasting hours are they? I'm just surprised that anyone would try it while breastfeeding a small baby, it's stressful enough, especially if you are feeding at night too. I wouldn't have had the willpower that's for sure!

Talkinpeace · 23/02/2013 19:27

indeed there are several Muslim ladies on these threads who have realised that the calorie fest of the pre dawn ramadan breakfast may not be good for their waistlines, let alone the sunset sweets ....

I'd have to check posters names in the early threads but breastfeeding and intermittent fasting should, in itself, cause no problem - so long as the nutrient balance of what you DO eat is right

not sure about the exemption bit - being an atheist myself :-)

swallowedAfly · 23/02/2013 19:27

bf mums and pregnant women are actually exempted from fasting TP.

Talkinpeace · 23/02/2013 19:29

Aha, so they do not fast, but they join in the meals before dawn and after sunset .....
suddenly the weight demographics of gulf states make a LOT more sense!!

dines · 23/02/2013 19:29

blackmayjane my friend was dieting and she never saw and change on the scales and was getting really frustrated but measured and lost inches off her waist and stomach

PassTheSherry · 23/02/2013 20:20

Hello everyone,
Just started my first ever attempt at IF today and I feel ever so hungry! Big cravings...

Anyway, thought I'd pop in and show myself, as no doubt will be lurking around for a while (I hope). Roll on tomorrow...

BlackMaryJanes · 23/02/2013 20:41

I've started measuring my wait and my stomach - as of today. Will report back next week on those :) Fingers well and bloody crossed.

but were you healthy before christmas bmj? i mean was that weight your usual weight or something that happened as a result of breastfeeding and being too busy to eat/stressed etc?

It was a result of a very successful diet. I felt fit and healthy but very hungry. The folks here at NM said that 5:2 was better than what I was doing. So I started that and BANG!! I put on a stone.

There are a couple of things which concern me, firstly that you're trying to fast whilst you're still breast feeding, which may effect the quality of your milk and your baby's health plus it must be so exhausting I'm surprised you have any energy.

It feels grim, for sure. But my baby is 14 months old and doing fine.

silverbeetle · 23/02/2013 21:05

Welcome PassTheSherry Smile

GreenEggsAndNichts · 23/02/2013 21:06

BMJ which leads me to ask... what was it you were doing to get down to that weight? 5:2 is a way of eating which does result in weight loss, but as you've said yourself, you've felt the urge and have been overeating on your non-fast days. You are close to your target weight so you need to be quite good about not splurging often if you want to lose weight.

Just fasting 2 days a week does not guarantee weight loss. (I say this, and someone else will come in and say that's all they are doing, but it's different for everyone. If you have more weight to lose, you will lose faster from the start. Or, that person is naturally staying within their TDEE on their non-fast days, either through the fact that they have a high TDEE due to activity or size, or just because they naturally don't eat excessively)

OP posts:
GreenEggsAndNichts · 23/02/2013 21:06

Welcome to the thread, PassTheSherry :)

OP posts:
BlackMaryJanes · 23/02/2013 21:10

GreenEggsAndNichts I was eating 1800 cals per day and it was working. My weight then stagnated at 7st10 which is fricken wonderful when you compare it to the 8st10 I am now. The bizarre thing is, I was loosing weight great on 1800 cals each day. But this week I haven't lost any weight on 1800 cals each day with 2 fasts! Absurd!

Talkinpeace · 23/02/2013 21:25

BMJ
that is surreal.
How many calories are you having per week - I moved away from daily counting to weekly a while back on the basis that I do 2 blocks of 500 calories, three of around 1200 calories and tehn eat and drink what I like at the weekend (but only one and a half meals a day as that is my norm now )

GreenEggsAndNichts · 23/02/2013 21:27

So.. 1800 calories is not your TDEE? If you were losing weight whilst consuming 1800 calories a day, then that's not your maintenance calories, that's weight-loss calories.

I don't actually understand, sorry. Hopefully someone else can help. :)

OP posts:
ErikNorseman · 23/02/2013 22:02

You put on a stone on IF? I thought you had maintained? I'm confused. And if you were losing on 1800 a day then your TDEE must be higher than that.

Talkinpeace · 23/02/2013 22:17

BMJ
need some numbers - either on here or via a message
age, height, weight, activity level, heaviest weight since age 18, lightest weight since 18, activity level before having small person ...

ElizaCBennett · 23/02/2013 22:30

Hi all, fast day last Thursday and was climbing the walls by dinner time, but when it actually came time to eat was not really hungry! Go figure! Anyway got up Friday morning buzzing cos I could eat what I wanted and did not want to eat until lunchtime. Very strange. Birthday today and had family over. Made cupcakes etc but not tempted as find them too sweet. Just enjoying a glass of wine Wine and listening to music now, next fast day Monday and hoping for a loss xx

ExitPursuedByABear · 23/02/2013 22:33

Sooooo - I logged on to MyFitnessPal, filled in my details and it told me that at 1200 calories a day I would gain 2.6lbs by 16th March Shock

Where am I going wrong?

I am of Tongan proportions so definitely have loads to lose.