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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.

The 5:2 thread number 36 - Fighting (& losing) the Battle of the Bulge? Eating too much junk? 5:2 is a healthy, sustainable way to achieve & maintain your goal weight. Join our friendly support group!

999 replies

BigChocFrenzy · 14/01/2014 15:27

The continuing thread for those of us following the 5:2 fast or other forms of fasting such as 4:3, ADF, or daily 16:8.
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 normally - or approximately your Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE - see explanation below). 4:3 is the same except you fast on 3 days in the week. Alternate-day fasting (ADF) is just how it sounds; you fast every other day. 16:8 is another form where you stick to only eating in an 8 hour window each day, therefore fasting for 16 hours each 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 or app 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 TDEE calculator to help you figure out how many calories you should be eating in a day.
NFD = Non fast day
NSV/LSV = Non scale victory/Lifestyle (change) victory
Michael Mosley has a website to accompany his book on the subject. Please go check it out, as he's the whole reason most of us are here!
Lurkers and new starters: please just jump in and post - you'll find a lot of support here and we’re a friendly bunch.
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:
Other Threads
All our previous threads can be found by browsing through the fasting section of the site.
Tips and Links : Another thread which breadandwine has started is a good resource for some of the tips and links 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!
Inspirational: eatriskier’s thread has some lovely inspiring stories which are worth checking out if you want some motivation to get started or keep going through a plateau. Please add your own too.
Recipes: frenchfancy has a recipe thread over here, please post any low-calorie recipes there so they don't get lost in these bigger threads!
Exercise: bigchocfrenzy has an incredibly informative and helpful exercise and fitness thread for discussion and advice on combining 5:2 with an exercise regime.
Maintaining: 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.
Other links
This is a BBC article regarding Michael Mosley's findings, which was featured on Horizon - link to that programme here.
This Telegraph article comments on the diet and gives a brief overview by Dr Mosley himself, very informative if you're just starting.
This blog post 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.
This link nicely demonstrates that there are many body ‘right’ body shapes and types, because what we are actually aiming for is low body fat for fitness and health.
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 article 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. (Though anecdotal evidence from these long-running threads may suggest otherwise…)
A BIG THANK YOU to all who have been contributing. 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.
A HUGE THANK YOU to Greeneggsandnicht for putting together all this info and resources into one concise OP text, much appreciated by so many 5:2ers!
Come join us, and tell us about your experiences with this way of life!

OP posts:
BetsyBell · 18/01/2014 19:50

Hi Bluestar - do have a read through the OP for some tips and inspiration. Your best bet is to plan what you'll have for your first fast day - anything as long as it adds up to 500 calories (don't forget to include milk in tea & coffee in the calorie count), but recommend you avoid carbs as they use up your allowance for little reward - aim for lean protein (eggs, salmon, chicken etc) with loads of veggies and salad.

Your fast day starts after your last meal on (eg) Sunday. Then Monday morning plough through on lashings of tea/coffee/water and try and make it through until lunch where you could have some of your calories, then save the rest for dinner time. Your fast is over on Tuesday morning when you can break your fast with breakfast!

Some people prefer to do have breakfast and dinner but most of us have found that the longer you can leave it to eat the easier it is - as once you start eating your appetite awakens and it can be harder to resist.

Monday is a good day to fast as loads of us do so there is endless support on this thread, and we're all in the same boat :)

Once you've done your first fast you'll know you can do it and realise it wasn't all that hard after all! Don't fear a bit of hunger, keep hydrated and most of all keep busy!

As you're in the normal weight range you may find the weight comes off slowly but you will be helping change your eating habits and of course reaping the wonderful health benefits of fasting twice a week.

Good luck and keep posting here!

BetsyBell · 18/01/2014 19:54

mscnile You are allowed a feast day at the weekend, in fact it's recommended! No guilt allowed - you earned that brunch, cake and curry. Plus you WENT FOR A RUN! :)

BigChocFrenzy · 18/01/2014 20:05

Hey, Emma. How did your FD go ? Mine went as planned, except I didn't bother to make soup - the veg will go with my steak tomorrow instead.
So, just an LOF with shakes, kefir, veg juice which left me time to do other things: shopping, hair trim, 70 mins fasted training at the gym, Kindle.

I also prepared everything for my yummy FD Sunday: cheesy rolls for brunch after my fasted spin, then 2 fillet steaks for tea with a huge plate of veg.

I'm just enjoying a peppermint tea with Stevia and the kitchen is closed. FD exactly 500 cals.

OP posts:
bluestar2 · 18/01/2014 20:12

Thanks betsybell , I have a couple of recipes that I think I will like - repitition doesn't bother me on diets for the first few weeks as I find I need strict structure more. I am aiming for a small lunch and dinner with lots of water in between.
Need to read my book properly to see what drinks I can have. I am planning on Monday being an exercise day. Which I thought you weren't supposed to do on a fast day? Or at least not initially ?
I am easily led by food though so need to keep motivated so Monday may be a good day even with exercise if there are lots of people here to talk to.

BetsyBell · 18/01/2014 20:41

I've never had any problems exercising on a fast day bluestar - in fact it's a very helpful appetite suppressant! bigchocfrenzy has a very helpful thread for people who are looking to combine 5:2 with exercise www.mumsnet.com/Talk/fasting_diet/1952543-5-2-Exercise-Fitness-Advice-and-information-for-those-following-5-2-IF-Intermittent-Fasting?

As you say, it might be worth going a bit easy on the exercise front for your first day, but there's no reason you can't go for a long walk.

I find caffeine helpful on a fast day (tea/coffee - not in vile sugary fizzy drink form) Grin

TalkinPeace · 18/01/2014 20:44

bluestar I love exercising on fast days - rips through that visceral fast lickety split ....

Lilliput · 18/01/2014 20:45

So went to the Chinese buffet for dd's birthday lunch. Had two (small) plates of food. I did have Kung po chicken which is +++ calories. I have got 5 eleven year old girls sleeping over and have managed to resist pizza and other crap this evening. I had a fruit plate of Apple satsuma and grapes for dinner. Resisting the alcohol too. We've got friends over for lunch tomorrow so shall skip breakfast and dinner.
I am surprised I am not more hungry for dinner tonight.

ErrolTheDragon · 18/01/2014 22:41

bluestar, I've always preferred exercising in the morning before eating, so it never even occurred to me not to do it on an FD - it seems to be fine. Obviously need to be extra sure to drink enough.

Well, although I don't like calorie counting my DH finds it very helpful to his approach, so I'm sort of having to do it anyway. Made a couple of things from a recent Saturday Times mag (they had a piece about Dr Varady) - root veg soup and a Vietnamese chicken curry which can be done in slow cooker. soup a bit so-so, curry very pleasant. Not a FD so had it with some brown rice as well as lots of veg.

bluestar2 · 18/01/2014 23:00

Thanks for the link and the tips.
errol I prefer exercise before food too but can't do it that way round on mon but I can see how exercise on a fast day would help it go more quickly - easily. It's a new class I have been meaning to try so am expecting it to hurt as it looks hard but am looking forward to it.

I was enjoying a splurge tonight but it seems all the diet talk has put me off! Didn't manage even half of my takeaway, still all better for next week I guess.

How long has everyone been on the plan and how have you found the weight loss?

Breadandwine · 19/01/2014 00:23

Hi bluestar and welcome!

To answer your questions:
23 months, and,
Painless!

To be fair, I'm a bloke. so find losing weight easier.

But have a look through these threads and you'll find two consistent refrains:
"I love this WOL" (sometimes expressed as, "I bloody love this WOL!" Grin), and,
"Control" - as in - "For the first time in my life, I now feel I'm in control of both my weight - and of my life!"

That's certainly how I've been feeling for the past year.

You're in the right place, that's for sure! Smile

hopefulgum · 19/01/2014 01:24

Went out to a friend's place for a dinner party and had another NSV: Didn't overeat, and didn't finish my dessertShock It was yummy, but quite sweet, and I only ate half, and thought, "Yep.That's enough". Practically unheard of for me. Hurray!

I have also manage some running. Yippee. Last summer I started the couch25K but had to give it up as my knees hurt so much. I wasn't much heavier than I am now, so it wasn't really a weight issue. Since giving up the c25k i took up swimming, usually 3 times a week, usually a km or 1500m. I think the swimming must have strengthened muscles, so now running doesn't seem to hurt. I walked for about an hour and also ran for about 15 minutes. These is huge for me, I am looking forward to running even more, and finding out about incorporating HIIT - still waiting for my book to arrive.

I am pretty sure I made up for the exercise through consumption of sparkling riesling. So nice! And love that it was guilt free.

A couple of people up thread asked for the chocolaty slice recipe, I started out using this recipe but I now just adapt it with what I have. I never need to sweeten it, but I have weaned myself of sugar, so you might like to put something like honey, agave syrup,coconut sugar etc in it.

This is Nora Gedgaudus' recipe from her website. She makes them into balls, but I just put it all into a slice container and pop it into the fridge and cut little pieces off it. I don't use as much butter as she says, and I add coconut oil. Sometimes I put dried fruit (not too much, way too sugary) into it,and I always put cacao,maca powder and acai powder into it.

You’ll need:

One regular-sized jar of almond butter (or any other nut butter—other than peanut or cashew butter—that you prefer).  Stir surface oil in well!
5-10 oz (an approximation) of organic nuts (almonds, pecans, macadamias, brazil nuts, pistachio’s…etc, preferably pre-soaked and dried).  Use a food processor to grind or chop to desired consistency/”chunkiness”.
Handful of organic sesame seeds and/or chia seeds (great source of mucilaginous fiber to help “keep that train rolling”)
Organic shredded coconut (as much or as little as you like)
Alcohol-free (glycerin-based) vanilla extract, or powdered/crushed vanilla beans
One full brick (room temperature) of KerryGold butter (decidedly a “key” ingredient)

Optional ingredients:

Organic coconut flour (Bob’s Red Mill makes a good one) -  add for additional yummy coconut flavor and/or better binding
Organic coconut butter…(you have to taste this stuff to believe it!)
Stevia (for added sweetness, if needed or desired)
Bee pollen (why not? Good source of flavinoids)
Organic cacao nibs (Dagoba has quality ones) – adds chocolaty flavor without adding sugar.  Also, cacao nibs have roughly 2X the antioxidant content of green tea!
Lately I’ve taken to adding a scoop of Garden Of Life “Super Seed” (fiber supplement) for some added great texture and flavor
Whatever floats your boat (and happens to be low carb)

Blend the above in a bowl thoroughly, then spoon out into little “balls” onto wax paper on a plate or tray. Refrigerate for a good hour, or until these firm up.

If you want to take them with you, you might consider placing them in a small portable cooler. You could also individually wrap these in wax paper to secure them (if they can’t be refrigerated) so that they don’t get all over everything if they melt.

Peplum41 · 19/01/2014 04:40

hopeful Mmm how interesting that looks, will have to check that link when I get home as my phone refuses to consider links( I've got too many windows open apparently). Btw we had an unusually pleasant summer here last year and I found white wine quite irresistible most evenings. I have recently started running again, I was too heavy last time I tried, and felt it was doing more harm than good, but now 2 stone lighter, thanks to 5:2, I'm running for about 4 minutes before I need a walk break and feel ready to go again after 2 mins walking which I really enjoy. I've also been saving running for when busy needed a shock to get it off a plateau which I'm currently wallowing on. Are you still swimming?

bluestar this is the best "diet" ever, my enthusiasm for it increases daily, so many positive advantages over other methods of weight control, plus health benefits. My only regret is that I didn't discover it when I was about 9 stone instead of spending a decade in the obese category.

Peplum41 · 19/01/2014 05:03

I'm toying with the idea of doing a 36 hour lof today, for a change. See how I feel later. In the meantime, have hankering for black coffee. There's something about these threads that make me want black coffee!

Peplum41 · 19/01/2014 05:06

Oh toffee thanks for date and muesli recipe, that was just what I'm after, love tea bread. Will stir some molasses into the hot tea.

Dare I check out your tasty thread on FD?

WhenSheWasBadSheWasExhausted · 19/01/2014 07:03

Good morning all. Dd seems to think 6.30am is the new 7.30am [sigh].

No matter, I've weighed myself and am 11 stone 5 - I was 11 stone 12 before Xmas so really pleased. I'm sure ill hit some sort of plateau soon but I'll just have to keep going.

ELR · 19/01/2014 08:19

Morning all, just wanted to say this thread is brilliant and a life saver!! Had a bit of a crap week so haven't posted much but I've popped in and had a quick read most days and it really keeps me from falling off the wagon and love hearing about all the little mini dramas some of you have from time to time! So thanks everyone.......have a good Sunday.

turkeybaby · 19/01/2014 08:34

Well done whenshewas thats a good loss any time of year especially over xmas

Welcome bluestar - you've got lots of good advice already but just to add that you won't necessarily feel starving. I started last week and had 2 FD on mon and fri and found them a lot easier than i expected. Ready made soup is a good thing to have as its so low cal and filling.

i have a FD tomorrow and i'm planning to have an Innocent veg pot for lunch and skinny soup for dinner. And lots of drinks.

I am very impressed with how careful everyone is on NFDs. I'm not counting calories on NFDs for now while i get used to fasting as i find it helps me mentally on a FD to know that there will be no restrictions at all for the next few days. I have a stone and half to lose so i will have to change that after a couple of weeks i know.

Tiredemma · 19/01/2014 08:41

I was so good all day yesterday- hadnt planned a 'full fast' but reduced calorie intake of approx 750-800 calories. Until DP returned from Rugby with Dominos pizza and chicken strips.

I need to find some serious willpower.

Weigh in on monday so will see.

Love reading your posts (all of you) great motivation pouring out.

Not2bObvious · 19/01/2014 09:20

Been a few days since I checked in, can't keep up with the thread at all but getting the general gist that everyone is doing really really well. I on the other hand have hit a bit of a wall, I don't think it's a plateau, I think I've just been overdoing the food on nfds and barely managing 1 FD, I can do the first ok but the second this week went Pete Tong. I think over 3 weeks I might, and stress might, have lost .5 of a pound. From my best before Xmas, I'm up just under 7 poundsSad Clothes are fighting with me a bit.
Back to basic I think. Doing a 16:8 today and about to do a exercise session. I have a nice lunch planned and I'm going to still have that but I think I'll then fast till tomorrow's breakfast, and 16:8 - then I'll keep it to 700 as I'm not able for 500 at the moment.
Sorry all for the me me me, feel a bit lost and needed to see some sort of positive plan in B&W. Hope everyone's got a nice day planned?

HellesBellesThinksSometimes · 19/01/2014 09:20

NFD here but chosen food comes to only 1000 calories, I will see how I feel come dinner time and add some extra chicken if I am hungry.

MelanieCheeks · 19/01/2014 09:21

I tried cailflower crust pizza last night - wasn't a FD but I don't handle gluten and carbs well so I wnated to experiment with that while the rest were having regualr pizza.

Twas absolutely delicious, I'll be doing that again!

Off for a long run now while the sun is shing.

Eatriskier · 19/01/2014 09:47

busy day yesterday and have totally lost the thread. well done to anyone posting sv, nsv or lcv.

lots of leftover butternut from cooking for ds yesterday so decided to have more of my pasta. I gave sauce and chorizo for 2 meals that will waste though so over decided as its an nfd to mix it with a portion of pasta and make into 2 meals. if this comes out ok then this may be my new way of doing a pasta meal in general. am already looking forward to it.

I had a small portion of pistachios with breakfast too. it is so hard to stick to just a small portion!

good luck anyone fasting today. I shall be cleaning the now disaster zone of a kitchen and seeing if cleaning the filters has fixed my dyson.

ToffeeOwnsTheSausage · 19/01/2014 09:50

We are about to go out for a walk so I will catch up when we are back.

Had a walk yesterday, enjoyed some crackers and lurpak last night after roast lamb, dauphinoise potatoes and sweet corn and am still the same weight so I will take that as a win. Especially as I was so shocked by how slim I looked I had to go and show DH.

Have baked already. Some kind of chocolate brownie thingy but the recipe doesn't give it a name, nor how long to bake it for.

Roast chicken dinner for tea today as won't be back in time to do it for lunch then FD tomorrow, Wednesday and Friday. That is the plan anyway.

curveballs · 19/01/2014 10:26

I know there are a few cynics in the press about 5:2, so I thought it would be nice to share with you that my mums doctor has recommended it as one of the best diets to follow

mscnile · 19/01/2014 10:27

Morning all. Pouring with rain here so I'll give running a miss and do a load of housework instead, then have a leisurely late lunch (roast beef, second feast of the weekend Betsy Blush) but will fast and run tomorrow, which should help.

Toffee I'm so glad you're back in the zone, you sound like a different person!

Not2be sorry you're finding it tough at the moment, hang on in there, it will pass.