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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:
postmanpatscat · 10/03/2013 17:59

I was a bit like that yesterday...wouldn't call it a binge, but I can't seem to eat much any more without feeling really full.

BsshBossh · 10/03/2013 18:28

I've been like it all weekend (mainlining ice cream, chocolate, nuts) then TOM arrived. Hurrah! The perfect excuse.

Back on the straight and narrow tomorrow.

Sutinder · 10/03/2013 18:52

Wow I've eaten loads today. Nice Mother's Day feast. Can't wait for fast tomorrow. Need normality back in my life. This bingeing lark is no fun. BMJ I feel your pain..

mummyof2girlsx · 10/03/2013 18:58

Hi, I am a long time lurker and have only posted on this thread a couple of times. Quick question, has anybody ever done 3 consecutive fast days?? I usually do 4:3 on mon, wed and fri. Next week I have plans from Thurs to sun which rule out fasting those days. was thinking of trying fasting mon tues wed (with 500 cals each day) to keep it a 4:3 week. Do you think this is too much? Any advice would be greatly appreciated Smile

Minnie64 · 10/03/2013 19:05

Hi All
I'm new to this site. Gunna fast from 1.30pm tomorrow (got lunch at work) until 1.30pm Tuesday. I will then fast again from about 8pm Tuesday until 8pm Wednesday. This is the only way I can get 2 days in this week. Then planning fasting Sundays 7pm till Monday 7pm. Will then prob fast tues 8pm till Wed 8pm. I have joined a gym recently and do a 45 min workout mon, wed and sat or sun. I also swim 30 mins 5 times a week. I want to lose 2 stone by end of June. I would add I have about 3 1/2 to 4 stone to lose all together.
Good luck everyone xx

Itsaboatjack · 10/03/2013 19:11

Well done wildwater, that is brilliant.

mummyof2, that would be too much for me but if you believe you can then go for it. I have done 2 days together, and the second was quite easy. Maybe make a decision each morning whether you can continue? Going to 5:2 for a week wouldn't hurt your weight loss. There was a link posted earlier that showed average weight loss on 4:3 was only very marginally more than on 5:2.

swallowedAfly · 10/03/2013 19:11

not eaten too much so far - late lunch of roast potatoes, veg and pork loin cooked in mustard sauce. big dish but not epic.

just heating up a weightwatchers chicken hotpot. was going to not eat any more then remembered tomorrow is a fast day so a light dinner probably a good idea.

i am really shattered - was a long week at work then a long weekend of doing stuff for ds's birthday. i can't believe it is monday tomorrow - could do with a day in bed. instead i'm working and have an event i have to attend for work in the evening Sad i want a day in bed! am off on tuesday to make up for the evening and travelling to london on thursday so at least i'll get to rest then.

sounds very wet but just adding in that yoga core muscles routine has added a whole new level of tiredness. i can so feel it is working in my core and in my inner thighs though so want to persevere.

BetsyVanBell · 10/03/2013 19:24

Started today with chocolates and have had a big indulgent lunch with that very rich chocolate tart I posted earlier for pudding. Was exceptional when teamed with some raspberries and cream.

Not looking forward to the sugar cravings I'm going to have tomorrow but a fast day should help sort that out a bit.

Back onto the exercise regime tomorrow too, I've missed it and am feeling horribly flabby again - a week of being under the weather has seen a few couple of pounds put back on which hopefully won't turn into anymore. Be nice to get nearer to my target weight as set by a good weigh in 2 weeks ago! Have been anywhere close all week.

Tomorrow's fast is likely to hit 22ish hours without too much trouble given that my last meal was lunch today. Tempted to have a crumpet or something but I think I will hold out - my body needs the break now.

mummyof2girlsx · 10/03/2013 19:35

Thanks for your reply Itsaboatjack I will take your advice and decide each day, I have done two fasts together before but not three. May do two fasts then see how I feel on Wednesday and if its too much just make it a 5:2 week.

Happy Mothers Day to all the Mummy's on here Grin

Dotty342kids · 10/03/2013 19:56

wildwater that's brilliant, well done!
So tomorrow is going to be a real challenge, stressful work meeting + several hours travelling to and from it via train. All on a fast day! Yikes.
But if I can do it tomorrow, I can do it anytime / where. Will need it after yet another over indulgent weekend.
Last week my zumba teacher was away on hols too so very little exercise. Can't wait to get back to it this week!

NurseEzzzaChapel · 10/03/2013 19:58

Mmm, that tart with raspberries and cream sounds good BvB!

ellenbrody · 10/03/2013 20:07

Oh god, I've eaten so much today, my stomach feels like a football!! Fasting tommorow, packed lunch salad made and sitting in fridge. Hope everyone had a good day.

BetsyVanBell · 10/03/2013 20:29

NurseEzzza the gingersnap crust is inspired!

BlackMaryJanes · 10/03/2013 21:00

Sutinder and ellenbrody What stuff did you eat?

I've had: Box of chocolates, a whole loaf of white bread with jam and butter on (practically), 2 chocolate digestives, 4 custard cremes, double cheeseburger, chips, coleslaw, chocolate fudge cake.

Feel like I've got a breeze block in my stomach.

Also got constipation. Niiiice.

peplum41 · 10/03/2013 21:03

Hello all, been lurking for about a month, cant believe I'd never heard of 5:2 until early Feb! Then was so excited about new "easy" diet spent several days,whilst waiting for the book to arrive, celebrating by eating 9 mint kitkat chunkys,3 choc fudge kitkat chunkys,2 packets of revels and numerous creme eggs. Blush. When the book arrived I was nervous, Ive actually got to do
this now...
However, thanks to the posters on these very dynamic threads- particularly the veteran ones and their links, I had support and advice on my first fast day and learnt so much. Just wanted to express my appreciation for your efforts, and by the way I do seem to have conquered many of my emotional eating demons. Somebody gave me a Cadburys caramel yesterday, it remains in my bag,intend sharing it with a friend tomorrow. Usually it would have been eaten by now and Id be extremely reluctant to share it.

akarucker · 10/03/2013 21:27

I was wondering if anyone has a side effect of waking up early after a fast day? I've been doing ADF for 3 1/2 weeks (and lost 8lbs), but every other day I am waking at 3 or 4am for the day. But, I'm so tired so obviously it's not because my body is not needing that sleep on those days - it does! I've tried having my fast day calories at different times of the day to see if that makes a difference, but it doesn't. Any ideas on the sleep issue?

peplum41 · 10/03/2013 22:18

Akarucker, started 5:2 about the same time as you and have noticed the same thing! must be exhausted as doing the whole keepin busy malarky, yet awake in the early hours. Im hoping it will be a passing phase as my bod gets used to less food, or some peculiar bio/chemistry side effect of fat burning.

Bramblesinafield · 10/03/2013 23:06

Yes I notice the sleep thing. I feel ready for bed earlier and am awake earlier. I'm looking forwards to fast day tomorrow. Haven't overindulgent but want a day of plain eating and lots of water.

I'm going for a big night at the opera this week and can actually get into my posh clothes, result!

motdiese · 10/03/2013 23:53

breadandwine that article is very interesting and encouraging. Some weeks are better that others weight loss wise, but reading that will encourage me to keep at this wol. I only did a 6:1 this week, I'm really run down and couldn't face another fast. Tomorrow is another day.... So I'll be back on 5:2 this week.
I've had sleep-less nights usually after fasting, again I'm putting it down to body chemistry... However I do imagine as I lie in bed that its the fat being eliminated off my body. Smile

swallowedAfly · 11/03/2013 06:40

well the scales are saying a laughably high weight this morning and i don't think i even ate my tdee yesterday. never weight yourself when constipated!

i shall ignore and go about todays fast safe in the knowledge it's a new week and the only conference i'm going to this week is not providing lunch. i have a function i have to attend for work tonight from 7-9 so i'm not sure how i'll fast around it. might just have a marmite drink before going and make it through to after to eat. will see how i feel.

i have my period and i really am bunged up from not eating great over the weekend so i'm really hoping that's what's going on with the scales. am telling myself that logically the gain cannot be fat. i better be right!

happy monday everyone Smile

dines · 11/03/2013 06:50

I'm so glad for my fast today.. I ate soooo much yesterday.. had pizza hut for lunch then had lots of cake.. I felt full all day. Goin to be having chicken and chorizo soup today before work about 4 don't think I'll be able to hold out till half 7-8 tonyt. Happy fasting!

Sutinder · 11/03/2013 07:16

BMJ I started with a fry up and ended up with a 3 course meal with copious amounts of alcohol. In between eating lots of choc n crisps, actually what ever came my way I ate.
I also don't sleep we'll either.
Today is strict fasting. I do have a busy social week this week but am going to try very hard to be sensible, well at least try.. Having black tea at the moment then off to work with an apple only....

Aftereightsarenolongermine · 11/03/2013 08:06

Have only maintained this week, but not fussed especially after yesterday!

So glad it's a fasting day :o

moderateorgood · 11/03/2013 08:35

Hello everyone. Can I join in? Today is my first fast day and I'm finding it hard. I feel a bit vague and spaced out. Very hungry too, and tired.

It's lunch time where I am. I've just made myself a miso soup which I'm looking forward to.

CorrieDale · 11/03/2013 08:59

Hurray! 2lb down again. And I've just done swallowedsfly's yoga routine because my chesty cough rules out cardio ATM so it's been a good start to the first fast day of the week!

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