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. 
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.
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!
Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.
Fasting / 5:2 diet
5:2 Diet Thread! 14 threads in a stone?
GreenEggsAndNichts · 28/02/2013 10:18
i give up ..I think you must know I mean five pounds per week.
headintheclouds that's great news, well done!
Here's hoping for another good week next week and enjoy your conference treats 
Ooh that's tough systems Will you be able to eat first? A plate of steamed fish & veg looks delish after a fast & may help you stop inhaling cake mix
sutinder I am a Jillian / shred fan too. Just be warned- the first time you attempt to go downstairs following a workout you may lose control of your legs, & sitting on the loo is agony!
Can't remember who asked, I'm a new starter but have found that so far on the days following my 500cals fast I am only eating 1000 -1200cals as my appetite is reduced. Other 3 days are are closer to my TDEE of 1850. rushka this will hopefully reassure you too
On my first fast day I was busy planning wahat I was having the following day with glee & then found I didn't want it.
tomorroweeat I couldn't fathom the weekly button on MFP either so had to scan back through the history & add it up. Took me far less time than trying to understand technology
Hi there, thought I'd jump and brag say hello! I started 4:3 on 21st January, today I have reached my first goal and I am now ONE STONE lighter!
I feel so much better. I have another stone to lose before i reach my target so i will stick with the 4:3 for now.
I recognise quite a few names from the 5:2 forum which is nice and I've been hovering around and just getting so engrossed in people's stories on MN. I can't believe at the ripe old age of 42 with 2 DS's, I've never been on here. So I'm learning the lingo and one day might be daft brave enough to post something in AIBU
RL in terms of fasting not at all (or so I understand) as no cals. My view is that if it helps me to get through & stick to the cals then I'll have one. I try to limit as they are full of nasties & there have been studies that show the artificial sweeteners can heighten hunger. I guess if it works for you
RLJ
Its no calories and no solids so 'technically' not breaking your fast
but (rant alert) the regulars will tell you that I'm not the greatest fan if diet drinks ....
if you can last all day and like me you need to go to bed with a full happy tummy then it works well sutinder.
i'm just about to sit down to cup of marmite drink - the amount of pleasure i will get from it will be immense not something i'd have even considered previously.
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