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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! 14 threads in a stone?

975 replies

GreenEggsAndNichts · 28/02/2013 10:18

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:
wildwater · 04/03/2013 22:45

Thanks for leading me to the new thread.

Stood on scales this morning (actually after my break - fast + cups of tea & coffee) to find I am now 10 1/2 stone, no longer wavering between that and 11. I am so happy! My aim is at present 10, then we'll see what my body wants to do...

Bramblesinafield · 04/03/2013 22:46

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1364/spicy-root-and-lentil-casserole

There you go. Yum yum yum. I don't have any naan with it, but do stir in a spoon of yoghurt. That way I can have a bigger helping!

Bramblesinafield · 04/03/2013 22:46

Wow sees wild water, that's ace.

Aftereightsarenolongermine · 04/03/2013 22:53

Lovely first fast of the week ticked off. Came in at just over 500 calories but I so wanted that proper tea (read with milk) & as its TOM I decided to go with what I wanted. I don't think going over by 25 calories will negate the health benefits especially as I did a 24 hour fast before I ate & then had my tea.

Reading that back it sounds a bit rambly but I hope you'll all get what I mean.

Well done to everyone who fasted today. L

wildwater · 04/03/2013 22:53

Thank you!

snoworneahva · 04/03/2013 22:54

betterlate I use cauliflower rice to make a kedgeree, it's really good, didn't miss the rice - even the dcs were eyeing it up!
Often make a curry and then add it as the rice portion.

To make just grate or grind cauliflower in the food processor till it's rice grain sized. Then nuke for 6-8 min without any addition of water (it will go soggy).

ThinkICan · 05/03/2013 01:11

Hi! Back again after a week travelling and find that the old thread is 25 pages longer and the new thread is on pg 16. Dreading the moment of revelation on the scales, as I had to make do with what was available when on the road. TiP - give me a talking to so I can face it like a woman! Face the truth of weight gained and get back on the straight and narrow!

Breadandwine · 05/03/2013 01:25

TiPs gone to bed, TIC.

But you don't need telling, do you, that with this regime, whatever you've put on, you know how to get rid of it!

In other words, you know the secret! Smile

Like all of us who've been here more than a few days!

Here's a great interview with Dr M on ABC radio Sydney:

www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2013/02/28/3700802.htm?site=sydney

Dr M updates us on the various human trials that are now taking place - as well as going through the basics. Well worth 20 minutes of your time!

swallowedAfly · 05/03/2013 06:43

morning.

well over the weekend i went up .8 of a lb to 11.5.6 and today after yesterdays fast 5 approach i'm the same. however (tmi alert) i feel the need for a bowel movement i can't do yet and my period is very much due now.

in terms of calories i guesstimated that i had about 1700 yesterday.

think today i will try to wait a bit longer before eating (what that video said about mixing it up so your body doesn't get habituated and start doing the all the insulin and glucose surges like clockwork made sense to me). it felt too early when i ate yesterday and the five hour window seemed too long so i think i'll go back to 20/4 today and remember not to eat when hungry but wait till after (yesterday i tried eating before).

not sure if i should aim to do a '500' day or not.

sorry dull stuff!! hope everyone has a good day fasting or otherwise Smile

putthehamsterbackinitscage · 05/03/2013 06:47

Question for Swallowed....

If following fast5, have you now stopped 5:2 as well?

Am asking as on 5:2 I naturally tend to do fast5 principles on my fast days ... Save a calories till after 6pm then finish eating no later than 10 pm, and i am interested in whether you

A) should combine the 2 or if it could cause problems with under eating

B) need to do both to keep weight off /keep losing or if fast5 works on its own

C) could do a combination on fast days but have a bigger window on Non fast days eg say 18:6 to allow a late lunch and dinner eg eat between 2pm and 8pm?

I tend to find my metabolism is on the slow side and if I eat tdee on the 5 days and 500 on fast days, I gain rather than lose (inches and pounds) unless I do significant exercise to help burn calories so i am wondering if a combination of both might allow me to increase calories closer to tdee on non fast days and not gain ....

Tdee is around 1600 without exercise... Short, getting older and sedentary job Wink

putthehamsterbackinitscage · 05/03/2013 07:02

Cross posted Grin

I am interested to see what works for you as I think a combination of the 2 should be possible so long as I eat enough on the 5 days.....

Am also running for exercise so need to ensure I eat enough for fuel as well

Good thing about this is I have cut out some of the rubbish I've always snacked on such as crisps etc when at work ..... But am still able to have chocolate etc if I feel I want it....

6 weeks in now and not finding it hard at all....

swallowedAfly · 05/03/2013 07:08

thanks b&w - just listened to that interview.

putthehamster - i really don't know yet. i went from doing the 5:2 to thinking well i'll also make sure i have a long fast every week day (so even on the days i wasn't fasting in the week i didn't eat before late afternoon). what i found in that week was that i lost much better even though i'd only managed one proper 500 day.

so i wondered if maybe it's the short window that does it for me and maybe that alone would do.

where i'm at now is thinking that maybe because i still have a lot of fat to lose (my first goal is 10stone but really i want to be less than that if i can) i could do a combo of the long fast every week day plus two significantly lower calorie days in the week too until i get to where i want to be. then i could potentially maintain by solely doing the fast5 or 20/4 (20/4 makes more sense to me as that's sort of 4.30-8.30 and that's when i want to be eating) in the week.

it's all a bit 'suck it and see' at the minute so i'd be interested in hearing your thoughts and how it's going for you.

swallowedAfly · 05/03/2013 07:10

now i've cross posted! Grin

i want my 'fuel' to be my fat stores. hence not eating in the day but staying active in the day. the idea is my body learns to mobilise and use my fat. that's why i'm not adding activity in as if it lets me eat more because my fat is a plenty for now and that's what i want eaten! itms.

putthehamsterbackinitscage · 05/03/2013 07:18

Cross posting obviously show this is a good time of day to post Wink

I think I might give it a try.... 5:2 but with a 5 - 7 hour eating window from say 1:30 - 8:30 or variations around that to fit my day and see if its manageable, and what the results are...

Will post updates about how it works.... an going to try to be guided by hunger tho rather than tdee as if i am not hungry, and haven't exercised, then I think tdee is too high for my metabolism....

Sutinder · 05/03/2013 07:19

Successful fast yesterday. Feel so much healthier for doin it especially after the gorge at the weekend. I'm no good at calorie counting but am going to mane wise choices. Have a great day everyone.

swallowedAfly · 05/03/2013 07:25

i agree putthehamster about tdee. even if i put in that i have a sedentary lifestyle and don't do exercise (when in fact on work days i walk at least 10km and use a lot of calories according to my pedometer) it still comes out at levels that i know if i ate consistently i would put on weight.

CorrieDale · 05/03/2013 07:54

BMJ fasted yesterday with a chesty cough and runny nose. The cough is a swine and keeps me awake at night but I wouldn't say I'm full of a cold exactly. I felt fine about fasting yesterday but if I was streaming and generally felt rough I'd be like greeneggs and sodding it.

CorrieDale · 05/03/2013 08:05

On the subject of slow metabolism s, mine seemed to speed up a bit when I started gaining muscle from Pilates. On the down side I also started to gain weight (while losing a lot of inches). I'm doing 4:3 to try and shift that last stubborn few pounds but I really recommend trying to fit a few minutes of push ups and planking into your day. Even the smallest addition of muscles required more calories to get it through the day than fat does. If that makes sense .., sorry if it's ramble. I am chivvying and harrying for school while posting...

Minimammoth · 05/03/2013 08:19

Cakes back down to 10. 11 today so yesterday was just pretend weight gain. I also did a pretend fast yesterday. Just couldn't count the cals, as food home made and odd quantities. I will be cautious today, and try proper fast tomorrow. I struggle with metabolic rate, as am being treated for low thyroid function. My TDEE is 1800, I almost always eat far less than that and never lose weight. tis a B.

Minimammoth · 05/03/2013 08:21

Cakes!! That should read 'scales'

tomorrowweeat · 05/03/2013 08:21

LOL at Brambles :)

Easy fast day yesterday. When I checked calories at the end of the day came in at under 400. Miso soup for lunch with cheese triangle. Tin of veg soup with half a packet of lettuce, watercress, rocket stirred in. Green tea and water to drink.

But what to eat today?

Good luck to all the Tuesday fasters especially EnglishGirl - hope your first fast goes well.

artemis17 · 05/03/2013 08:27

BMJ i find if im not feeling well, then i dont have an appetite so its pretty handy to use as a fast day...

BetsyVanBell · 05/03/2013 08:27

On the subject of weight, scales and 'bouncing': here's how it goes for me on this WOE. Every 2 or 3 weeks I will lose a solid couple of pounds and I consider this my current weight and a target weight. Each time I weigh in (every day or two) after the new low reading my weight fluctuates upwards, bouncing around 2 or 3 pounds higher than my target weight for a week or so then after a couple of weeks it stabilises and a new low weight is achieved. For example, last week I got a new low (146lbs), and this week I'm working towards getting back down to that weight (Monday was 148lbs, today, post fast I'm 147lbs and I'm hoping that Thursday's fast will put me back to 146lbs or maybe I'll stay stable at 147lb), next week I hope to lose a bit and create a new low.

So two points:

  1. Mentally I ignore the higher scale readings and consider myself the lowest weight for the duration (though higher readings make me 'work' harder to get the reading lower again so are useful!)
  2. I don't worry about thinking I've gained weight as I know it will bounce down again.
cardiffmummy · 05/03/2013 08:43

Managed to complete yesterday's fast although was a bit of a struggle! 3 year old DS was being a monkey and driving me crackers and I nearly caved in at lunchtime and bought chocolate!! But I resisted and got through the day. Now feeling very pleased (and relieved!) and have enjoyed my breakfast of rice krispies, grapes and a big cup of tea!! Hope you all have a good day Smile.

Minimammoth · 05/03/2013 08:48

Thanks for that Betsy it's good to know what to expect and that others experience the same.