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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:
swallowedAfly · 01/03/2013 19:22

about half a teaspoon to a teaspoon bsssh. it's tesco's own yeast extract and it says a serving is 9cals but obviously not much clue what a serving is - couldn't be much less than half a teaspoon though i'm thinking.

BsshBossh · 01/03/2013 19:23

Great thanks swallowed. Really fancy something salty but don't necessarily want to reach for the crisps, even though it's a non-fast day.

Hasywell · 01/03/2013 19:25

Yippee - 7th week, another 2lbs lost and that makes 13 with 5:2 and 15 altogether since Christmas! Really learning the difference between head hunger and stomach hunger which really helps on non-fast days! Am hoping that this time next week I will ne under the 12stone mark! First time for nearly 2 years!
Happy weekend all Smile!

Talkinpeace · 01/03/2013 19:42

dines
your hunger is in your head not your tummy.
I had a roll for lunch filled with a bit of cheese and I've just had 2 hot cross buns and about 5 biscuits Lol.. help!
why the biscuits?
all the rest makes perfect sense so long as it was in stead of other food rather than as well as
and what is your TDEE?
are there more interesting ways to fill up?
check these out
www.waitrose.com/shop/ProductView-10317-10001-10670-Waitrose+chunky+vegetable+soup
healthy, yummy, and you'll be STUFFED after 232 calories
or this
www.waitrose.com/shop/ProductView-10317-10001-90971-essential+Waitrose+vegetable+stir+fry
FIVE of them to hit your allowance - OK three once you add in oil and chilli sauce

please trust me
go veggie / healthy on fast days and it will change your outlook on food
for the good
for ever

ELR · 01/03/2013 20:41

Dines. You need to eat more protein all your meals are very carb heavy.
Try eggs, omlets or poached eggs on toast are great.
You could make some veg soup with lentils or try a curry with sweet potato, spinach and chickpeas.

Whoever asked about home made pizza, I made some tonight the dough was 372 calories per serving and made one pizza each slightly bigger than an ipad!

400g bread flour
1 sachet yeast
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 rounded teaspoon sea salt
1 level teaspoon sugar
240ml warm water

Each piece of dough once risen weighed 155g

I then topped my dough with tomato sauce which I made with chopped tomato, garlic and fresh basil. Then a combo of mozzarella cheese and cheddar and various veggies. The whole pizza came in at 698 calories and was yummy.

Sorry I realise that it's not a fast day recipe but if you only ate half and served it with a massive salad it could be a 400 calorie meal.

ELR · 01/03/2013 20:49

For those of you struggling for drinks other than water and try veg bouillon with chilli flakes and as others have suggested a marmite drink these all come in at around 10-12 calories
And instead of diet drinks try a squeeze of lime juice topped up with sparkling water san pellegrino is the nicest. I serve mine in a champagne flute with my evening meal and try to pretend its Proseco!!

catsrus · 01/03/2013 21:14

Or o a skinny pizza dines a small wholemeal tortilla wrap for the base, smear it with tomato paste or pasta sauce, lots of low cal veg like mushrooms, pepper, artichoke hearts, some hard boiled egg, a bit of chilli, and just a light dusting of a hard cheese on top. Serve it with a large salad and you have a filling meal at around 500 cals.

This WOE works. It's not magic, it works by reducing the amount of energy we take in. if you insist on still eating things like biscuits you just have to accept that you can eat very few of them and keep to 500 cals - and you will be hungry. I have eaten biscuits, hot cross buns, fish and chips, Xmas pudding - you name it - since starting this in August - and I have lost 2 st. That's because none of these form the core of my diet. My normal diet is healthy and based round vegetables not carbs. it includes long periods of no food and it also includes treats (and the occasional blow out).

You can eat whatever you want - but many of us have found that what we want to eat has changed.

CorrieDale · 01/03/2013 21:41

Arana, I've always had a pot belly. It's now shifting, I think because of the exercise I do. Namely Taekwon do, Pilates, and high intensity circuits. It's a cheaper and healthier option than liposuction (and safer!) but takes time to generate results. I'm also hoping that 5:2 will dissolve enough fat so my abs can perk out!

Aftereightsarenolongermine · 01/03/2013 21:53

I have not stopped eating today. & it's all greed I really blame laska her delicious aubergine & chickpea curry was do divine that I've eaten it all up plus the gluten free spaghetti & pesto I had actually made for dinner.

The curry was being batch cooked to be frozen for the next couple of fast days! Well now it's in my rather large stomach. Along with a chana sag recipe I was given on another thread which has come in at around 500 calories but it included butter & sunflower oil. I really have gone back to my bad old ways! Going to chalk it up to experience & not cook things in advance as that clearly doesn't work for me.

It wouldn't be so bad but I've had breakfast & lunch on top of all that today (& I've been eating marmalade out of the jar). How disgusting is that Blush. I've become a secret eater again. Well tomorrow is another day, can't fast till Monday because of medication. Ill just try to be more restrained....

Aftereightsarenolongermine · 01/03/2013 21:59

laska sorry meant to add that it's all tongue in cheek! Not your fault obviously curry was just to yum to resist! :o

BetsyVanBell · 01/03/2013 22:21

Aftereights Awww :( I tell you what though, everyone seems to be raving about laska's recipe - I must try it... but not all of it at once. The problem with freezing things is that (paraphrasing Nigella from one of her books) it feels like you've mentally eaten that meal every time you open the freezer and loses attraction. So yes, best to stick with cooking little and often for some of us. Was the chana sag good? I love chickpeas and spinach - wondering how the recipe you mention compares with mine (linky puleease?)

I know things have gone awry for me when I start furtively eating nutella out the jar with a spoon.

I've been completely exhausted this afternoon evening and instead of the delicious roasted veg leftovers with salad I just ended up eating the kid's horrible pizza and an awful lot of supermarket garlic bread. Feel totally, bloated, grossed out and dehydrated from all the salt, not a brilliant combo with the exhaustion :(

snoworneahva · 01/03/2013 22:31

Dines - its not the most nutritionally sound feed day but you know that already, we all have blips, just move on and try to eat less sugar tomorrow and some green veg!- it really does help to keep treat food out of the house. If you want them then you need to make a special trip out to buy them.

Aftereightsarenolongermine · 01/03/2013 22:43

Thanks BVB you made me laugh! chana sag recipe

I kept trying both dishes to decide which one was my fave (they are both fairly similar) & they came out as equal. They were so good! Before i knew it they were gone. one thing in my favour i split the chickpeas & tomatoes between the dishes.

Think it might be TOM soon which might explain my bingeing today :o

Breadandwine · 01/03/2013 22:44

LOL, after8! I'm laughing in sympathy!

I made a large vegan quiche - leek and mushroom, with a little vegan cheese - which was supposed to feed four. Well, I ate a quarter for dinner (with loads of oven chips) - but getting it out of the dish so I could divide it up, just now, I've managed to nibble away at it until there's only half of it left!

I had a large lunch - two chunks of bread from the freezer, rather than my usual one.

It's not a fasting day, so it's no big deal - but I have to tell you, if there were biscuits in the house, I'd be tucking in right now. As it is, I'm eyeing up the remains of the quiche! Grin

We have to remain vigilant - we're only ever one step away from a binge!

ELR · 01/03/2013 22:58

I've just ha a mini magnum so gone over my tdee today but only by 200 so not too bad!!

Aftereightsarenolongermine · 01/03/2013 22:58

B&W I can resist the biscuits but I can still hear the marmalade calling me from the fridge & I'm now in bed! Luckily I've had 2 fast days this week so if I maintain this week ill be happy. Not sure i could resist a good quiche though.....

SerotoninButterfly · 01/03/2013 23:29

I am really hoping that next week's fasts are going to be easier when I am not working...

Am exhausted! Having hot water at the moment to try and stave off the cold and hunger pangs.

Have saved some calories for a proper cup of tea before bed! Grin

Aftereightsarenolongermine · 01/03/2013 23:40

Yes it gets easier.

& bingeing explained as TOM has arrived....

SerotoninButterfly · 02/03/2013 00:45

aftereights I think I might be suffering a little with that too - although I have the implant I feel bloated and my boobs are very tender. So no bleeding but the other symptoms apparently!

I think I am going to have to cut sugar in my tea on feed days - two seems way too sweet! Grin

charliegreentea · 02/03/2013 03:49

Marking my place

countryhousehotel · 02/03/2013 05:22

Sutinder you'd be amazed how effectively you can work out at home without any equipment. If you google "homeworkouts" or even "homeworkouts for mums" you'll find hundreds of sites with loads of great videos and workouts. The 2 that got me started after ds was born were Mutu System and Fit Healthy Moms. They both sell online programmes but there's plenty of free stuff on there too (if you can't find all their vids on the websites look for their youtube channels and facebook pages). Even if they use equipment in the exercises and you don't have it, you can always modify until you feel the need to buy some kit (I now have a veritable arsenal of fitness equipment!).

swallowedAfly · 02/03/2013 07:20

ok weird stuff.

i ended up eating more last night - i ended up having 1200cals total but only over a few hours.

this morning i have lost another 2lbs.

in 5 days i've lost 4.4lbs and only managed one 500cal day but i've religiously stuck to this nothing in the day but water and black coffee and pretty much the 20hrs fasting 4hrs eating routine.

30 days - 9.2lbs lost.

for those who are getting stuck i can really recommend trying out the 20/4. if it continues this way i may not actually need to have 500cal days but just stick to 20/4 on week days and have at least 3 of them as under bmr. that's what i've done this week and it has fallen off.

maybe this is a freaky one off or maybe it works for now but won't when i'm closer to my goal weight or maybe it's just because i'm (sorry for tmi) but really getting to stop carrying backlogs of food around in my bowel. i don't know but this week has been good.

i think for now i'm going to do 20/4 in the week and 16/8 on weekend days and see what happens. only 5 days into doing this and over 4lbs down Confused but i'll take it.

am now 11.4.8 and hoping getting under the 11 won't be too far away.

swallowedAfly · 02/03/2013 07:33

i am going to dare to say this aloud to try and dare to even imagine it is possible: i would like to be 9stone.

ErikNorseman · 02/03/2013 07:38
Envy I'm 12 stone again today, but I would like to know where that random 3lb came from. Never mind, onward and downward.
swallowedAfly · 02/03/2013 07:41

but erik don't [green] at me! take hope from it! because i had exactly the same as you last week and for about 10-12 days actually. i put 2lbs on and couldn't shift it - i went up and then got stuck.

keep going and the same will happen for you i bet. and you will owe me a drink for being right Grin