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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:
Wommer · 05/03/2013 19:47

Whatsforyou - rather than starting to count calories on off days have you tried upping your exercise levels?
Poss not on fast days, but on the others.
That might be all you need to shake yourself off the plateau.

Breadandwine · 05/03/2013 19:57

FastFeeder thanks for that hilarious link - I was laughing all the way through it. The best line was this one:

Dr. Mosley was eating a cookie during his New York Times interview. What diet condones cookie eating?

This one, losers! Grin Grin Grin

IDismyname · 05/03/2013 20:02

Eric, Catsrus, French and Countryhouse

Thank you for your advice. Fast Day number 2 will commence after supper tonight until Thursday morning, and then I can eat and drink with gay abandon on Thursday night (only slightly joking :))

sunnymum44 · 05/03/2013 20:03

Ezza, thank you so much for that link to your post which just perfectly explains the whole thing! I have no more questions!

dines · 05/03/2013 20:09

Hello everyone completed my fast day yesterday it went really well.. feed day today.. do I way myself on my last fast of the week? How is everyone getting on?

whatsforyou · 05/03/2013 20:09

Thanks for all the advice, I might try adding another day in and see if that works.
I do know I need to exercise more. I used to do the shred DVD regularly but am no longer allowed to do anything high impact and find it really hard getting out on my bike with a toddler. Guess I need to do more pavement pounding with the buggy Grin

Tweasels · 05/03/2013 20:14

Evening all.
I last ate at 9pm last night. Have made it this far, planned to eat after 16 hours but felt ok so didn't. Having a 400 cal meal at 9 tonight and will have some fruit.

So all going great, except...DH says my breath stinks, like really stinks. He said he can still smell it when I have chewing gum in. Bit concerned about this as my 2nd fast will be on a work day and I work with the public.

Also, my rosacea has flared up, I know it's a long shot but has anyone else got rosacea and noticed this.

I'm guessing the way to combat these undesirable effects would be to eat sooner which is a bummer as it's not that hard Sad

notapizzaeater · 05/03/2013 20:16

Dines - I weigh myself every day (cos I'm obsessed !!!) but actually only " count" my Monday morning weigh in ....

dines · 05/03/2013 20:16

Wud it be wrong if I ordered a takeaway at this time on my feed day? I'm starving and have nothing to make..goin food shopping tomorrow

whatsforyou · 05/03/2013 20:18

Thanks for all the advice, I might try adding another day in and see if that works.
I do know I need to exercise more. I used to do the shred DVD regularly but am no longer allowed to do anything high impact and find it really hard getting out on my bike with a toddler. Guess I need to do more pavement pounding with the buggy Grin

Talkinpeace · 05/03/2013 20:19

Tweasels : bad breath most likely to be dehydration. Go have a BIG glass of water and a mug of tea : then you'll smell of caffeine!

Dines : fine on condition its not a high carb pizza and if its chinese or indian, get a set menu as you'll eat less of a better mix

Tweasels · 05/03/2013 20:36

Thanks Talkinpeace. I'll try and up the liquids.

Bramblesinafield · 05/03/2013 20:50

Well, after eight weeks I've lost nine pounds! Amazing! I find I'm not as hungry after fast days and get full faster. Was talking to colleagues about it today and when they asked 'what can you eat on the non fast days?' I was happy to say 'whatever you want!'

snoworneahva · 05/03/2013 20:59

ootnumbered given you are a 46 year old man, skinny is not desirable and muscle mass looks better, I think you need to focus on building muscle not worrying about looking skinny or dropping BMI below 21. Dh is now down to BMI of 22, he looks too skinny, his muscle mass is poor, so that is what he is working on with his personal trainer, not losing more weight but gaining more muscle.
There has been some talk that the recommended BMI for men is too low and the recommended BMI is too high! I know at a BMI of over 23 I carry too much fat and don't feel healthy.
But it all depends on your body shape - I am toned, athletic, muscular and carry very little fat on my top half - bottom half is a squelchy mess despite having a BMI of between 20-21, running 15 miles a week and doing resistance training twice a week...it's the way my body was built, am learning to accept that I will never have skinny legs without looking emaciated.

Dotty342kids · 05/03/2013 20:59

That's great brambles well done! I fasted yesterday and today was a normal eating day. Have had healthy meals (cereal and banana for breakfast, wholemeal sandwich for lunch and a home made soup for tea) but have sadly found myself finishing off the "share" size bag of Maltesers that was lurking, an Aero bar and two slices of home made ginger cake! I am definitely in binge mode today, don't really know why but am due my period tomorrow so perhaps it's that.
Feel a bit disappointed in myself really but tomorrow's another day, am mini fasting on Thurs and normal fast Fri so hopefully not too much damage done.

Minimammoth · 05/03/2013 21:06

Brambles you're an inspiration. I have kept my cals low today though not a fast day. Am going to try for fast tomorrow.

BetsyVanBell · 05/03/2013 21:08

Dotty Add up the calories to your meals - I'll bet there's not more than 750 in there! No wonder you ended up snacking on cake and choc... and I'll also bet you're still way off your TDEE. Please don't be so hard on yourself :)

Dotty342kids · 05/03/2013 21:15

Aw thanks BVB though I know how many calories are in that ginger cakes so I'm fairly sure that would have tipped me over!
Anyway, off for a bubble bath with a trashy magazine now to remove me from further temptation. Tomorrow's a new day Grin

EnglishGirlApproximately · 05/03/2013 21:24

Hello all. I did my first fast today and actually feel ok. I can tell I've eaten much less than usual but i feel 'not full' rather than hungry iyswim. I've been drinking green tea which I think has helped. Can I ask a question about exercise? Do you exercise on fasting days, non fasting days or both? I'm wondering when it will have the most benefit? Thank you. Its great reading your stories its really motivating me, I think this is the first diet I've seen that doesn't make me miserable thinking about it! Smile

politico · 05/03/2013 21:28

Thanks for the ideas about keeping myself busy Daisy! I have a 10 month old DS to run after so my cupboards remain unsorted are a complete state. My veggie chilli tasted amazing tonight, and I'm ok now. I'm looking forward to a bagel for breakfast in the morning. Night all!

postmanpatscat · 05/03/2013 21:31

Fast day for me today, major dental work this afternoon so it seemed like a good day to pick! Haven't even had 400 cals and don't feel like eating any more just now, especially as things are pretty sore and I'm likely to be on painkillers for a couple of days. I did my Monday fast on Sunday so that I could do the second fast of this week today without the fasts being consecutive, which technically means I'm done fasting for this week. I'm wondering whether to slip in another one though!

dotty, I had a Krispy Kreme yesterday so felt a lot like you do now! However, the sight of what was left of two of my teeth after all the filled and decayed parts had been drilled out (ie not much was left) was enough to put me off sugar for a very long time. I think dentists should routinely make you look in a mirror at that stage to frighten the life out of you!

SerotoninButterfly · 05/03/2013 21:36

whatsforyou have you heard of power yoga? Good cardio/strength workout and v low impact.

I use DDPYoga (wrestling obsessive) and its brill. When you are engaged properly your heart rate is up as if you are pounding the pavement and there is no weights just dynamic resistance Grin highly recommended!

Talkinpeace · 05/03/2013 21:42

another yoga addict here
that and swimming

Itsaboatjack · 05/03/2013 21:42

Nothing wrong with a take away dines, enjoy it.

I had a good fast day yesterday, feel like my head is back in the right place again now. I just enjoyed a lovely dinner of fillet steak with carrot and swede mash and creamed spinach followed by a lavender cup cake from the fancy cake shop. I was planning on a glass of red wine too but I forgot about it and now I'm not really bothered about it.

englishgirl I exercise on both fast and non fast days. Even on non fast days I exercise before I eat. Exercising on an empty stomach helps burn more fat I believe.

Daisy1407 · 05/03/2013 21:47

Hi all I love this forum!
I did my DVD this morning and managed a Zumba class tonight I'm on an eating day and when I got home my bath was run Snd my southern fried chicken and chips were in the oven lol!
I'm on 1700 ish kcal so I'm happy days but chocolate is calling me - need to get to bed NOW!

I'm gonna watch the latest link that someone has put up on page before this xx night all