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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:
Sutinder · 26/02/2013 20:49

Amazing results everyone. I also felt really cold and the heating has been on high. I've just had some choc n wine. Hell with it it's my feed day... Fasting tomorrow. Will stick to it. Prob won't eat till around 4 as busy with work, then shall have soup I made earlier and maybe some porridge. Porridge really fills me up and keeps me warm in this weather. I drink black weak tea and 2 litres of water it's keeping me regular too.. Good luck to all you fastens for tomorrow. Think we should arrange a fastens party haha xx

Breadandwine · 26/02/2013 20:55

In response to the request How old is everyone on here and the comment the days of dancing till dawn to burn off all the calories are long gone. - and also the fact that I'm just about to celebrate my first anniversary on this WOL, I thought I'd repost my first post on these threads, back at the beginning of October - on thread number 4:

"I've been practicing 5:2 eating , after a fashion, for getting on to 8 months now.

After reading a lot of research on CR and IF, I thought I'd start it by having just half my normal calories two days a week - for the health benefits more than anything. So for 6 months I ate half a breakfast, half a lunch and half a dinner.

As a by-product I thought I would lose the kilo or so that I'd added over last Christmas - but in the event I lost that kilo pretty quickly and, over the last 6 months I lost 4 kilos altogether. Since then I've gone down to 600 calories or less and I've lost a further kilo. All this without even trying (yes, I am one of those annoying blokes, I'm afraid!)

As others have said, it doesn't matter when you eat on your fasting days. I have ground flaxseeds (for omega 3 - I'm a vegan) with apple juice for breakfast; mushrooms and tomatoes fried in One-cal olive oil with balsamic vinegar for lunch; and a celery/mushroom/cabbage-heavy chilli non carne with a small baked potato, for dinner, along with 50g of red wine. I make enough of this for two meals - I'll have half of this on each of my fast days, Monday and Wednesdays. I generally feel stuffed after this meal.

As a treat I have filter coffee on my fast days instead of the instant stuff. But, really, I find the fasting days very easy now - although the first week or two were a bit of a struggle.

I have to say I've never felt better. I spent 4 hours on the dance floor on Saturday night, drank 3 pints of beer, a large glass of red and a Jaegerbomb - and was up and out for a swim by 8 in the morning. And I'm in my mid-seventies!

I'm not too bothered about the longevity aspect of this lifestyle, but the thought of a healthy old age very much appeals to me!"

Smile

B&W

Shybairns · 26/02/2013 21:03

Can I ask all you experienced fasters a quick question?

On the non-fast days do I need to stick to 2040 calories? As is my TDEE.

Talkinpeace · 26/02/2013 21:06

if you can .... on average over the five days ....

Shybairns · 26/02/2013 21:09

Ok thanks.

ArtemisatBrauron · 26/02/2013 21:16

Fast day coming up tomorrow, last time I did no breakfast, light veg soup at 130 for lunch then fish and salad for dinner, think this time I might try no lunch and a larger dinner as it only felt very hard for me between 4-6pm.

Also going to the gym as work commitments have forced me to miss it Monday and Tuesday this week already so have to go tomorrow, very interested to see if I notice a difference in ability while fasting.

Good luck to all those starting - I'm hoping it gets easier tomorrow Smile

Sammyjmarks · 26/02/2013 21:21

Hi looking for some support. Have been doing 4:3 for 2 and a half weeks. Lost 3 lbs 1st week, nothing second week although had period and then weighed today after a fast day yesterday and a 10k run and had put on 2 of the original 3 lost!!! Find I eat ok on non-fast days until the eve then have started eating loads of biscuits out of frustration with lack of weight loss. Tend to eat around 2000 cals on non fast days and exercise 2-3 times per week. Am not overweight but want to shift half a stone thats been hanging around since dd and ds 4 and 2 respectively. Think biscuits on non fast days are a bad idea but need to get some faith that the diet will work. Help!

ubik · 26/02/2013 21:32

sammy

you are looking for a general downward trend, you will not appear to lose weight some weeks and then drop a few pounds on others, then appear to gain a pound and then drop a few more. you need to give it time.

BsshBossh · 26/02/2013 21:45

Well today I nearly binged (on the peanut butter & jam sandwiches I was making for my DD's tea and on chocolate mini eggs). I have no idea why I wanted to over-eat but my head was screaming EAT!

So I started (over)eating... Then stopped. My stomach started screaming No, no, no more food, I can't take it! And so I stopped. When I reviewed the extra intake it wasn't actually that much (one sandwich and a small handful of eggs).

It is the first time in years that I've managed to stop myself from binging. Even after successfully losing weight through calorie restriction alone all last year.

I see this as 5:2's success - that the two days of fasting (total 24-hour fasting in my case) has freed my digestive system and brought it back to its original state; a thorough cleanse; to the point that it refuses to get overloaded.

Is this the end of over-eating? Is this the stomach's battle over the mind won? Grin

Who knows. But today was very interesting for me.

BetsyVanBell · 26/02/2013 21:48

Sammy Read through these threads - loads of amazing and inspiring stories on here. Biscuits won't help! If you can't help yourself then don't buy them...

It is harder to lose weight if you don't have much to lose. I don't have much to lose now and if I do indulge in sweet 'treats' on my non fast days then I put on weight (and wake up feeling crappy - sugar doesn't agree with me). Find something healthier to nibble on or have a hot drink instead.

However, if I eat mindfully on non fast days (mostly avoiding sugary stuff & crisps, not too much in the way of carbs etc) then I lose weight - 1 or 2 pounds per week.

silverbeetle · 26/02/2013 21:48

Breadandwine you did make me smile.
Pretty impressed with the Jaegerbomb, didn't know what that was until I watched 'Sun, sex and suspicious parents'Smile

I'm also in this for the longer term health benefits as well as weight loss. I'm very nearly 47 and I lost both parents about 8 years ago when they were both fairly young (awful cancer). I really want to be around for a good few years yet and I want them to be as healthy as possible. Of course a few lost lbs along the way are most welcome.

Well done to all today's fasters, assuming you haven't gone to bed yet!

BetsyVanBell · 26/02/2013 21:51

BsshBossh I misread your post and had a vision of someone trying to eat a handful of boiled eggs! Agree totally though - I love the way fasting acts as a reset button Smile.

BsshBossh · 26/02/2013 21:56

Breadandwine that's such a wonderful (old/new) post! Thank you :)

plecofjustice · 26/02/2013 22:04

BsshBossh

Is this the end of over-eating? Is this the stomach's battle over the mind won?

Well, I've been doing this since September, and still feel the need for the occasional binge. I fasted yesterday, then ate up to my MFP recommended allowance today (1590), went to the gym and have just had a massive sugar craving, so have eaten up to 1650 and still feel hungry (no more food though!)

Fasting tomorrow should get everything reset. I find life a lot easier after my second fast of the week, it's Tuesdays that are the killer for me!

Itsaboatjack · 26/02/2013 22:06

B&W cudos to the jäger bombs. I can't bare RedBull myself so I won't be on them any time soon. But it was my NY resolution this year to go out more this year, my youngest is now 3 and I am starting to have a bit more free time now and I want to enjoy it. I am actually going out Thurs night to a gig of a friend of mine who is in a band and really looking forward to it.

Sammyjmarks · 26/02/2013 22:09

Ubik and betsyvanbell
Thank you!! I know u r right about the biscuits. A horrible post fast compulsion takes me over. I use the fast as an excuse to binge! Not good and I will try not to buy anymore. Hopefully it will work if I don't go over cals on non fast day. Will keep reading.... Fast tomorrow. Should feel better.

BsshBossh · 26/02/2013 22:10

plecofjustice was it tummy hunger or mind hunger, iyswim? I was plenty hungry with my mind/eyes but my tummy physically couldn't take it.

BetsyVanBell · 26/02/2013 22:16

Sammy I refuse to have biscuits in the house anymore - it's not worth it! I've replaced them with interesting fresh and dried fruit and a lot of herbal tea varieties! I know dried fruit is high in sugar too but at least you're getting a bit fibre and the odd nutrient too. Biscuits are just made of pure cheap crap.

plecofjustice · 26/02/2013 22:18

This was tummy I think. Difficult to tell, I felt very strange - ears ringing, kind of a hollow sensation that went away pretty much as soon as I ate the biscuit. Anyway, has gone away now whatever it was and I definitely don't want another biscuit - don't know why i bought them, they're horrible and sickly sweet!

SerotoninButterfly · 26/02/2013 22:18

Well I had my last meal at 1730 and am at work glugging water. Feeling hungry - could it be psychological? Had a big dinner with Small so shouldn't be.

Going to avoid eating until at least lunchtime tomorrow; but going to be doing Jillian and DDP too - so may need a banana. Hardest bit will be not having milky/sugary coffee.

ExitPursuedByABear · 26/02/2013 23:02

Aftereightsarenolongermine Wow that is fabulous weight loss. I also have 6 stone to lose (well, I could probably lose more but I would settle for 6). I have lost a stone since the start of Lent and I am hoping to continue the trend with 5:2. I am 53.

TraceyinTF · 27/02/2013 05:54

Hi all, I have been reading lots of your messages today and decided today is the day, so first day of fasting for me!

I am Scottish but live in Hong Kong and I am a full-time working mum, not one of the those lovely expat mums who spend their days at the spa or the shops, so I obviously make myself feel better by eating millions of rubbish and drinking way too much wine and subsequently have gained about 30lbs.

So no more, its time!

All emotional/moral support welcomed Smile.

countryhousehotel · 27/02/2013 06:38

Sammy I think you've hit the nail on the head with this comment "I use the fast as an excuse to binge!"....I started 5:2 this week, my first day was Monday I tracked my TDEE on MFP, yesterday was my first fast day, so I'm no expert, but I can't believe you can binge on non-fasting days, or go overboard, and still lose weight. I've planned my non-fasting day meals to be healthy and to use up the calories on unprocessed, non-junk, healthy food. My TDEE is quite high (almost 2,600) but I ate really well on Monday and felt satisfied on about 600 less than that. I was amazed. And it was all healthy stuff. I hope that following this woe doesn't cause me to start bingeing as a reaction to the fasting...if it does I'll stop following it straightway!

swallowedAfly · 27/02/2013 06:59

Smile loved b&t's post.

well i am happy this morning because the scales said 11.6.8 i have finally dipped under the 11.7 mark that i saw briefly about ten days ago then bounced around above since.

i've been doing this woe for 4 weeks today and i have lost 7.2lbs. in reality i lost that in the first 2 and a bit weeks then got stuck bouncing between 11.9 and 11.8 until this mornings weigh in. so don't despair with the sticking or not getting a regular x lbs a week effect.

yes on a more dramatic diet i might have hoped to have lost more than half a stone in 4 weeks but i actually can't believe it has been 4 weeks - it has flown by and i know damn well it would not have flown by with me sticking to a calorie restriction or you can only eat x, y and z kind of diet.

so i am def in this for the long run.

even though it's not a fast day today i am continuing to drink my coffee black and without sweetener - for one thing why waste calories and for another i know milk probably isn't good for me as i have sinus problems and used to have ibs (haven't had a bout for a while, touch wood!). i also really believe that it was the not having milk that made the difference yesterday as i was able to do a true fast for about 22hrs rather than interrupting it with lactose.

thank you for all the support and info on this thread - i know i probably post too much but it keeps me focussed and i do love hearing how people are doing. i find the people with a lot to lose or a lot lost really inspiring and.... heartwarming i guess. being very overweight must be such a strain physically and mentally and i feel really happy for people who are managing to move away from that and enjoying their successes.

my initial aim was to get from 12stone to 10stone and i'm a quarter of the way there today. half a stone a month would be absolutely fine realistically and more than fine if it continues to fly by easily like this. AND it's going to get warmer and sunnier and be so much easier i reckon compared to shivering through the winter fast days.

Salbertina · 27/02/2013 07:21

Swallowed- i enjoy your posts, don't post too much at all! Well done on the loss, everyone else too. May fast today but hungover not sure, just coffee so far. Am fasting long - 22 or 23 hrs - but not yet restricted the calories to 500 yet this week due to social stuff each night, v unusual..may do so today to make up.

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