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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 · 06/03/2013 16:38

It should be my totm... In fact if recent months are to go by should have come on yesterday! Confused
Am hoping they're still unsettled as am still BFing morning and night. Bit weird though.

Absolutely zero chance of being pg again - would need to be the second coming! (And I'm really not the Virgin Mary! Lol)

Daisy1407 · 06/03/2013 16:45

Its my TOTM too!
I havent broken my fast yet today - im on a roll - cant wait for my chicken and chorizo soup tonight - as its so low in kcal i can even have a piece of bread! Nom Nom

Dines - enjoy your soup too - i know we are having the same lol
I would say with 2 sugars and milk in your drinks today you are still able to have about 440 kcal

LittleFriendSusan · 06/03/2013 16:50

Nice to hear about all these losses Smile.

Thought I would give a quick update on our first fast day yesterday. Surprisingly, I found it tougher than DP. I thought about little other than food for most of the afternoon... DP said he found it easier than expected, and was full of energy when he got in from work (he usually gets in and flakes out on the sofa!). Think I may be due on soon though and am always ravenous at that TOTM...

We did it though! I lasted till 2 and had my 1/2 tub of carrot and coriander soup. Then had tuna marinated in soy, ginger, garlic & chilli with stir fried veg (mange tout, pepper, Pak choi, courgette, onion) and zero noodles (thought they were ok as a filler, but OMG how expensive? £1.99 for one packet in Holland & Barrett! I usually get 3 packs of noodles for about 50p! Tasted bloody lovely after waiting so long!

Back to normal today, but am logging food on MFP still just to see... No snacking either but am going to have veg curry, rice. & naan with a nice glass of white wine in a while!

Next fast on Friday - we were thinking of doing it from 5ish Thursday through to dinner Friday but guess that wouldn't work , reading some of the other posts... may have to rethink now...

I usually have lunch with a friend on Thursday and DP not keen on starting the weekend on a fast day ( he likes a glass of red after work on a Friday). Hmmm, not sure how to work it!

LittleFriendSusan · 06/03/2013 16:55

Grin X-posted with all the other TOTM comments - yes, hunger always an issue for me, even without fasting... Someone at work yesterday said they'd read 5:2 wasn't v good for women as could affect hormonal levels, but did a bit of Googling last night and couldn't find anything concrete - only a few articles saying there wasn't enough research to say either way.

ELR · 06/03/2013 16:59

Has anyone tried the innocent veg pots? Just having the Caribbean curry one now its 334 calories I'm not on a fast day today and cant be bothered to cook!

These would be good for those of you that are at work or didn't want to cook they come in between 250 and 350 calories have generally 3 of your 5 a day are quite filling and are half price at sainsbury at the minute so only £1.84.

wildwater · 06/03/2013 17:50

Hi everybody! Up early this morning - fasting today. I plan to not eat anything until my one meal around 3pm this afternoon: a big bowl of vege soup with lots of cabbage & sprouts to bulk it up.

I visited my doctor yesterday and was pleased to see I've dropped another two kilos - down to 69 (10st 8lbs) from a start weight of 83 kilos, since just before Christmas. I am feeling amazingly energetic compared to how I was before this WOL. (And it was for that - being healthy - that I began this, not for weight loss.)

Of course, this is all relative: according to my BMI I still have a few kilos to go before I change from 'overweight' category to 'healthy weight'.

It is incredible for me to be fitting clothes that were too tight, to have a lot of my pants literally falling off me, things I never thought I'd fit again now being too big! Soon I will go out and buy new jeans...just waiting to see where my body decides to settle.

Hope you all do well today. Thanks for all the sharing :)

BsshBossh · 06/03/2013 17:57

Dotty342kids you could try what I'm doing which is 5:2 Monday and Thursday and 16:8 Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday. On the 16:8 days I eat between 2pm and 10pm (though any 8 hour window would work) and for some reason this eating window is helping me limit any tendency to over-eat. Plus I get a 3x16-hour fasts into my week in addition to my 2x24 hour fasts. Before I did this routine I was slipping up too much on my non-fast days (which is why I was over-weight in the first place. I'm the kind of person who thrives on routine though.

Dotty342kids · 06/03/2013 18:02

Hmm, that's an interesting idea BssBossh thank you. I tend to need some kind of routine too as otherwise have binging tendancies. However, I've been fine for the previous four weeks so am wondering if it's period related rather than a willpower issue. I'm feeling very bloated today too.
Mini fast tomorrow (no breakfast or lunch but am going to eat a normal tea) and then normal fast on Friday so hopefully that'll put me all back on track.
Thanks for the encouragement and support though Grin

BsshBossh · 06/03/2013 18:02

Dotty342kids by the way, I eat up to TDEE (or as close as I can manage) on 16:8 days...

BsshBossh · 06/03/2013 18:03

Dotty342kids you'll be fine. Consistency is key and you've been chugging away each week so keep going :)

Dotty342kids · 06/03/2013 18:14

I think you may be right about it limiting the time in which I actually can eat though. And if I had those 8hrs starting at eg. 2.30ish then I'd be doing the school run and keeping busy so less likely to eat junk. Good thought, thank you so much BssBossh

Wishihadabs · 06/03/2013 18:16

Well I am thinking of throwing in the towel. I have been doing this for 10 days (3 fast days) and am exactly the same weight.(61kg, BMI 22.5). I find the fast days really difficult., but don't feel I'm pigging out on eating days.
I also run twice a week and do Pilates once, cycle to work. I ideally would like to be 58kg BMI 20-21, but not sure this is right for me. I haven't had my blood chemistry done but I am thinking it couldn't be that bad to start with -any thoughts ?

ever2optimistic · 06/03/2013 18:16

Help please, I think I need some renewed motivation.
Last posted here about 2 weeks ago. Started 5:2 mid-Jan at 9st 2 lb, 5'2".
Over about 5 weeks, lost 4lb which I thought was great. Target was around 8st 6lb.
However, 8st 12lb has been my lowest - I have 'bounced' back up to 9st 2lb. Very disappointing. I do feel better and have been able to get into jeans which have not fit for about 2 years, but I still want to see the scales go down!
I have just increased my exercise - swimming and gym.
Am I being 2 optimistic?

Sutinder · 06/03/2013 19:01

Fast day today for me but its been very tough, I've been feeling little dizzy and feel anxious and getting palpitations. Anyone experienced this. Maybe I should stick to 5:2 and not 4:3. I only want to lose about another 7lbs

Minimammoth · 06/03/2013 19:04

I am not doing very well on sticking to fast. I am doing well on eating a fewer cals. Today I was supposed to be fasting, but couldn't resist eating tasty haddock risotto. Still only had 650 all together. Wishadabs I think you should give it a bit longer, the weight loss is very gradual. ever optimist sounds as if you are doing ok keep going, others on hear have reported that the bouncing is common and will still be on a downward curve.
I am bouncing too, keep going we'll bounce together.

Minimammoth · 06/03/2013 19:05

Last bit for everoprimist in case you missed it.

Talkinpeace · 06/03/2013 19:13

Wishi
If you are willing to give up after ten days you need to talk to Mintyy who has consistently failed to lose weight for many months BUT has carried on because she has will power and wants the other health benefits so that she is healthy in her old age.
You have to realise that 5:2 is a way of eating not a short term fix diet.
I am keeping the same regime as the rest of you and my BMI is 20.5
because weight loss is a side effect, not the reason.

frenchfancy · 06/03/2013 19:24

I second talkinpeace. If your bmi is already low then concentrate on the other benefits. I'm not saying you won't lose weight, just that you should give up if you don't. The first 4 or 5 fasts are the worst. It does get easier.

frenchfancy · 06/03/2013 19:29

Someone asked ealier ( sorry I can't remember who) how long it had taken me to go from bmi 28.8 to 24.8. It has taken 6 months. Xmas added a few pounds which then came off and I plateaued for a few weeks. I'm very happy. It doesn't feel like a trial. I will stay on 5:2 even if I lose no more weight.

Dotty342kids · 06/03/2013 19:32

Yup, agree with TIP. Even though I've had a rubbish couple of days I definitely feel good on this WOE and have no intention of stopping, even if the scales don't move for a couple of weeks.
I definitely want to lose weight but want the health benefits just as much so if the weight "sticks" for a few weeks, or I bounce up and down a little bit I shall be continuing regardless.
I think the weight loss varies so much, for some it's fast and then they plateau, for others it's steady but slow.
But people are right, it's not just a "diet", it's a way of eating, a new approach to food and hopefully a break from all the other "impossible to stick at" diets!

monster54 · 06/03/2013 19:54

Twas me french!!!

Thanks, I just need that kind of inspiration to keep going. I just can't seem to find anything that works. Just hoping 'this is it'...

See what the next few days hold. Is there any benefit to waiting 18 hours before having the first small meal?

snoworneahva · 06/03/2013 20:06

Wishi I struggle to lose weight fasting twice a week, even though I exercise quite a bit. I did find in the early days hard to stay motivated for the health benefits alone, I abandoned a couple of fasts, took a couple of breaks...but returned to fasting again, probably because dh continued to fast - he continued to see movement on the scale and felt more motivated.
I lost weight in January by keeping a very tight eye on my calorie intake while I was fasting, I know hope to maintain the loss doing 5:2.
I don't think diet choice is a one size fits all - you need to find something that suits your body and your lifestyle....you could try doing it for a bit longer but if it's making you miserable then maybe you should try something else for a while.

UnderSkyofStars · 06/03/2013 20:08

Hi, hope you don't mind me joining (as its already at thread 14 now!)

Weighed myself at 12stone5 and almost cried, but then realised how the hell is crying going to help.

I want to do the alternate day diet

Skip breakfast, lunch - noodle soup and one piece of fruit - dinner - plain omlette and again just one piece of fruit and maybe some jelly.

I do tend to eat a lot on the other days though.

Would love to reach 9.7stone.

BsshBossh · 06/03/2013 20:18

Wishihadabs (and all others not seeing much change on the scales) please click on Iwearblack's profile page and study the graph of her/his weightloss over 6 months. See those plateaus (especially as s/he gets closer to goal weight)? I have had a very similar experience in my 12 months of weight loss - loads of multiple-week and even monthly "stalls" but 54lbs down to date! Keep going!

And never lose sight of the ultimate goal of intermittent fasting (and there are so many varieties!) which is better health.

dines · 06/03/2013 20:18

My fast day is goin so well I don't even feel hungry.. wot is goin on? I didn't eat anything until half 5 today from about 8:30 last night I had my dinner and still had enough left for something I like I went and brought come cookies that I was allowed for the rest of my calories (was really craving something sweet) I was only allowed one and I only had one(shock) the rest are in my cupboard and I don't feel like I need to the whole packet like I usually would..this woe really helps u to control ur self with food.. cus Ino wot I'm like, I would of had one and wanted more.. I'm so surprised... has this happened to anyone else

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