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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:
Aftereightsarenolongermine · 07/03/2013 06:35

Some days are definitely harder than others, & I've been doing this since the beginning of August. However it's the easiest 'diet' that I've ever done for the simple reason it's not a diet iyswim. I've done every diet out there, & I've never lost the amount of weight that I have on this or come close to it & it's always felt like hard work. This doesn't & isn't. It's doable as I'm concerned for life & that's what counts.

Not only that but for the first time in more than 10(!) years the scales this morning said 10 something, ok 10.13.8(!) but still it had the number 10. & it's after a fast day so doesn't really count but before this WOE it's a number I never thought to see.

I know that it's achievable whether this month or next it doesn't really matter.

Aftereightsarenolongermine · 07/03/2013 06:43

wish you can get body fat scales though not really accurate they do give you an idea of improvement. Ours are by tanita.

snoworneahva · 07/03/2013 06:52

wishi don't bother with trying to measure body fat - it's too inaccurate. Maybe you should forget the scales for a month, some people find weighing in quite demotivating.

Well done Aftereight must be a great feeling!

I've come to the conclusion that I've reached a natural set point - it's slightly heavier than where I'd like to be from a vanity perspective, I wanted to fit into proper size 8's but now I'm going to celebrate staying at size 10 for a year and keep a watch on things to ensure I stay there. With fasting and the amount of exercising I do, my feed day calorie allowance is 3000kcal - you'd think I could manage to stay within that!

ellenbrody · 07/03/2013 07:03

I have lost the 4lb that I put on over Christmas, so am at a good weight for me (8st 5 - bmi 19.5). I need to maintain that now. Although I easily lose, it works both ways, and I easily gain too.

My plan is a sort of 5:2 / 6:1 hybrid. Fast on Mondays, then on Thurs (was previous fast day) do 16:8, but restrict to 1000-1200 cals, thus would allow for one piggy day at the weekend, which suits me.

What do you think? If I eat my TDEE every day, I gain weight.

Wishihadabs · 07/03/2013 07:28

I have weighed myself every week since I was 15, I think "staying away from the scales" isn't really an option for me. I am well aware that this is not necessarily a particularly healthy attitude but I would find it very anxiety provoking not to weigh myself for a prolonged period. I deliberately left it 10 days after starting this WOE whereas I would normally have weighed myself in the middle.

Treacleq · 07/03/2013 08:14

Now I don't want to get carried away BUT did my first weigh in this am (with the same scales and all) and in the first week I seem to have lost 6 lbs!!

I know I'm finishing my TOM and this is usually responsible for a lb or two but am still rather excited! Roll on next week! :) :)

BetsyVanBell · 07/03/2013 08:23

I'm not enjoying this week - have a cold and although I've been eating nutrient dense stuff (mostly anyway) there's just been an awful lot of it. I'm so exhausted I've skipped all my usual exercises and that's making me feel stodgy. Fast day today, needed but I think it'll be a hard one. Grumble grumble.

Aftereights Fan-bloody-tastic! Doesn't it feel good? I remember hovering just above 11 stone for months last year, was so excited when I finally spotted that hallowed 10 on the scales.

wishi I think a lot of people would consider an inch loss from their waist as "some improvement"... Not all victories are scale ones. The only accurate measure of fat measurement is having a DEXA scan - I had one done in a medical trial last year and the result was very different to the research facility's scale type ones. But inch loss round the waist is most likely to be visceral fat loss so that's a very good thing. There's some useful info here

BetsyVanBell · 07/03/2013 08:30

EllenBrody I think that'll be the sort of approach I take if I reach a weight that I feel is good for me. I gain weight very very easily too so will aim for 6:1 with a mini fast later in the week. Post-holidays I'd probably step it back up to 5:2, they usually mean a 5 or 6lb weight gain for me.

Wommer · 07/03/2013 08:45

So I've finished my first week - it ended up being a 4/3 instead of 5/2 due to the fact I can't fast today so did yesterday instead.
I've lost 4.25 lbs! Am stunned! Even if it slows down now to 2 lb or even 1 lb per week then I'll be at my goal in no time!
Also considering AF is due literally any minute I'm sure I'm hoarding at least a lb or two of water.

For all you long termers - do you find that your weight goes up 1 or 2 lbs after an eating day and then back down after a fast day - so it's sought of a downward zigzag rather than a line?
Also - I had assumed it would - could i ask how this WOE affects your digestion? I've only been to the loo once this week! I'm not hugely regular anyway - and AF can affect this too, but thought I'd ask Smile

Just worked out that since the new year I'm down 8.5 lbs which is cracking Grin

Have a good one all! Thursday fasters I'm with you in spirit and should be joining you next week!

monster54 · 07/03/2013 09:13

So how do you ladies deal with the day after fast? I fasted Monday and Wednesday this week. I weighed this morning and I'm 1lb down from last week. Does this count? How many days after your second fast should you weigh?

Now I'm freaking out about eating today! I don't want to ruin my 'hardwork' from Mon and Wed?? Iykwim.

I've had a tangerine and cereal bar this morning to start me off. I don't feel like I want to binge, quite the opposite I want to fast again to maintain control!

ubik · 07/03/2013 09:20

Just relax and eat what you want to eat. I've been doing this since August and have lost a stone although loss has slowed due to Xmas and some heavy weekends er..socialising Grin

When I first started I would break my fast with a huge cheese scone with jam and a huge coffee and I still lost weight. Now I just eat normally on non fast days, I fasted yesterday and this morning have had the usual slice if toast/ coffee for breakfast. Will probably have an omelette fir lunch. Seem to have lost interest in 'feasting' on non fast days...

SerotoninButterfly · 07/03/2013 09:24

Ubik I feel the same - I struggle to make my TDEE on feast days which is frustrating - and if I have a massive dinner (for eg) then I struggle to sleep cos I feel bloated! This is made worse when after my run I somehow need to eat over 2000cals Grin

But I am making healthier choices - although a little choc/biscuits are somehow finding their way into my mouth Wink I do find that I fancy a salad/veg rather than white carbs or even meat!

Aftereightsarenolongermine · 07/03/2013 09:32

Yes thanks bvb it is a good feeling! Hope you feel better soon.

wommer I've had fluctuations from the beginning & had plateaus too, but the main thing is that overall it's all been downwards. The plateaus last for a good few weeks also & then I seem to drop 3lbs in a week almost as a 'catch up'.

I've worked out that I've lost an average of 1andhalf lbs a week if that helps.

ELR · 07/03/2013 09:35

Morning all fast day today. But feeling really tired and lethargic due on any day now so maybe it's that.
I fast Mondays and Thursdays and have got weighed on Tuesday morning after my first fast day and then again on Wednesday morning after my first feed day and I always weigh slightly less on the Wednesday so I take this as my weight for that week. DH does the same but he always weighs less on the Tuesday after the fast day, don't know why I weigh less after the feed day but I do!

Greenfig, we started 5:2 around the same time how are you doing?

dines · 07/03/2013 09:57

I find that after a fast day scales go down 1-2 then bk up again like others have said.. it is Werth weighing every two weeks so u don't see the zig zag pattern?

staceyl900 · 07/03/2013 10:01

Minster54 - I feel exactly the same! I'm almost a bit scared to eat, but surely it can't be good to eat so few calories all the time. I'm finding myself making healther choices on non-fast days though, which can only be a good thing. Loving grapes and Greek yog for breakfast.

sunnymum44 · 07/03/2013 10:08

monster54, I'm there with you - fasted Monday & Weds and am now scared of eating normally today! I was the same weight after both fast days so haven't really lost - did completely overdo it on Tuesday so have cancelled that out I suppose, but now scared I will do the same today and worried about eating normally for the rest of the week. Next fast day is Monday & convinced I will put weight on if I eat normally for 4 days as having already lost 23lbs on a different diet, I'm only about 5lbs off goal..... Will be watching for some advice.

dines · 07/03/2013 10:10

Omg everyone I've need weighing and keep goin uo and down but I've jus measured and I've lost an inch of my stomach and half an inch of my waist..I'm so happy about that. I had to measure about 5 times cus I didn't believe it lol very happySmile

Anja1Cam · 07/03/2013 10:36

Treacleq that's a great start!

dines yes your weight will normally bounce up and down about 1lb between fats and feast days but in the long term (could be several weeks) you should see a down trends. As you found, measuring helps to record other losses and well done to you!!

welcome to all new people but then I'm still quite new here myself... It's difficult to keep up with this busy discussion so I think / hope it's okay just to dip in an out even if you miss bits in the middle...

monster54 · 07/03/2013 10:37

Well I might sneak in a mini fast on Fri. Just to keep things going in a downward trend!!

Just have nothing all day and a nice dins with OH when I get home!!

greenfig · 07/03/2013 11:06

Morning all & welcome to newbies. Lots of questions when you start but lots of support & good advice on these threads to read through, has certainly helped meSmile
Fasting today & baking cakes! Kitchen is a delicious fug of vanillary yum!
Doing well thanks ELR Lost my hols weight + a bit extra straight away (6lb) then have bounced around last week. Am enjoying it though & feel quite energised.
I have been about this weight for 2 years give or take a few lbs, wierdly I have been asked a few times this week if I've lost weight so perhaps there is something in the inch loss thing? I haven't re measured yet. My scales do BF% & show me as not having lost & also as in inhealthy range & yet I don't feel I have that much to lose, 6 lbs max. I try not to take them too seriously.
How are you getting on ELR? What are you eating today & tomorrow, I like your menusGrin

NurseEzzzaChapel · 07/03/2013 11:06

Iwearblack, I've been thinking of posting my weight loss graph for a little while too so now you've prompted me to do it. Anyone who's curious can find it on my profile page.

I do tend to weigh myself most mornings out of curiosity, but I only count and record the number that appears on the scale on my fortnightly weigh day as I find this time gap the best for motivation. I think the daily weigh ins are evidence that our weight is influenced by more factors than what we ate the day before. For example, after fasting on Tuesday I weighed myself yesterday morning to find I was 0.2lbs down, yesterday was a normal eating day and lately I've been eating a bit more choccy and toast and other things I've been deprived of for the 6 months I was living abroad so I expected the scales to go up, but I was another 0.2lb down on yesterday. Go figure! So I don't pay much attention to those daily fluctuations.

BumBiscuits · 07/03/2013 11:11

I've been at this for 5 weeks. I've now done 10 fasts. Good one yesterday. My dinner felt naughty but was only 200 or so cals. I made a huge pot of slow cooked mince packed out with onions, carrots, peas and celery. A large ladle-ful worked out at just over 100 cals, and I made mash with cauliflower, milk and a small amount of butter for another 100 or so cals.

I've lost 9.5lbs altogether. I had stuck at 9lbs lost for the last 3 weeks but today have dropped a measily half a pound. I'm pleased overall though.

BumBiscuits · 07/03/2013 11:17

nurseezzza I'm impressed by your graph

Dotty342kids · 07/03/2013 11:30

aftereights fantastic news about dropping into the "10" zone, I am going to be soooo happy when that happens for me. Which I'm determind it will Grin

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