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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.

Original poster

5:2 Diet Buddies

148 replies

luckybee123 · 29/12/2016 08:03

Hi I am almost 30 and now that I am all finished with babies and breastfeeding it's time to lose some weight!!! I have about 20kg to lose and the 5:2 diet has worked for me in the past. Is there any ladies who want to join me and make 2017 our year?
I really need some help to keep motivated.

OP posts:
Toooldtobearsed · 01/01/2017 08:40

Okay......

Height 5ft 2 ins
Weight 10st 2 lbs
Waist 35 ins!!!!

Target as at 1/1/18:

Weight 8st 6lbs
Waist 28ins

In addition to 5:2, will be cutting down on carbs, wine only at weekends.
In addition to walking twice a day (usually do about 11000 steps according to fitbit), will also be getting back on the rowing machine, doing an exercise routine and adding in some yoga 5 x weekly.

It gets so much harder to lose wight and tone up when you are older 😔

Toooldtobearsed · 01/01/2017 08:45

Welcome Anti, i bet it does make a difference! Stick with us and hopefully we can keep each other on track!

I had an MOT at the docs recently and the only thing that they commented on was my waist size - seemed fine about my weight, which suprised me, but advised that extra inches on waist was to be avoided - early indicator that type 2 diabetes may develop in the future.

All else is fine, but in addition to the health risks, i just want to be able to wear nice clothes and look elegant, not dumpy!

Onwards and upwards everyone!

Newmanwannabe · 01/01/2017 08:50

I'd like to join if that's ok.. I have been doing it about 3 weeks and have lost about two kg. I want to lose 10 in total. I'm finding some fast days harder than others, often by the end of the day I'm quite tired and my brain a bit foggy. Some days I'm really hungry but others ok. It is getting easier though.

jugotmail · 01/01/2017 09:09

Me to please. I have been 5:2ing and its gone great until the last two weeks when i have just stopped moving! Iv been good on the food but any form of exercise has been shelved and now im really feeling it. Have you guys tried mugshots for the fasting days?

Ipitythescale · 01/01/2017 17:32

Can I join too? I lost about a stone last year on 5:2. I plan on starting tomorrow and I am aiming to lose about 2 stone. I have also booked my first gym classes of the year starting Tuesday. I have a holiday in June to aim for and my nephew is turning 18 next year so I definitely want to have lost weight/toned by then.

ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged · 01/01/2017 21:19

Can I join you too please? I weigh more today than I did in either of my pregnancies Shock and I'm determined to change that. I've just had an enjoyable hour browsing low cal recipes and writing a list of snacks with under 100 calories and am so pleased to come across this thread.

For those of you who've done this before, what do you eat on non-fasting days? The same as normal or do you tend to be super healthy then too?

My stats:
Height: 5 ft 6
Weight: 10 stone 5 lb
Waist: 90cm (I've gone over my tummy button, but there's a fatter bit below it!)
Hips: 98cm
Thigh: 59cm
Bicep: 28cm

Target (by Easter)
Weight: 9 stone 5 lb
Absolutely no idea about the others; I've never measured them before!

I've also signed up to a beginner's crossfit course and am trying to jog my fitbit into action. It's as sluggish as me at the moment.

Original poster
luckybee123 · 02/01/2017 08:35

That's so wonderful to see many of us have had a lot of success with 5:2 in the past. Almost finished my first fast day and I am feeling pretty headache and foggy, but really happy with myself. Note to self to drink more water on fast days!
Atruth I have not had anything to eat today only because I find it easier to go without. As soon as I eat something I can't stop thinking and craving food!
There are some really good recipes on the 5:2 website but I have the book and the recipes in it are quite expensive to make.

OP posts:
CupofTeaTime · 02/01/2017 10:25

I keep wanting to start my 5:2 but I'm so scared of feeling headachy and foggy on a fast day! I've got a 6 week old so need to be on top form to look after her every day! Does drinking water help alleviate the foggy or not?

Iamblossom · 02/01/2017 10:43

Just wrote a huge post and lost it.

Summary:

Don't eat like a bull out of a gate on non fast days
Expect to feel a bit ratty at the end of a fast day
You can exercise in fast days in fact it helps
It's ok to feel hungry
Sometimes hard to get to sleep at the end of a fast day
Use this website to calculate the number of calories you need in a day on non fast days (set activity to sedentary even if you are not) and then use my fitness pal to track

I love 5:2, have been doing 6:1 to maintain but back on it proper to get back on track after Christmas

Staple fast day evening meals for me include Turkey steaks with veg, prawn stir fries (no oil).... I eat one evening meal.

Toooldtobearsed · 02/01/2017 13:04

Strangely, I feel more energised on fasting days. I stay up longer, dont doze off in front of the tv and sleep really well.

My first fasting day is tomorrow. I deliberately dont search out new recipes (although i do love new ideas), because that makes it all more of a chore iyswim. I only eat once on a fasting day and just have something like beans on a slice of toast with a poached egg and tomatoes. I do drink a lot of water throughout the day too.

NavyandWhite · 02/01/2017 13:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CupofTeaTime · 02/01/2017 14:23

Thank you, I like the sound of the beans on toast and egg meal!

StoorieHoose · 02/01/2017 14:35

I'm in if you will have me! Have tried 5:2 before but fell off the wagon so aiming to get back on it this week. Think my fast days will be Tuesday and Thursday's. Current have some lentil soup in the slow cooker so that will be lunch and then beans on toast for tea.

My biggest struggle is breakfast esp toast - I am a toast fiend so that's always the hurdle on fast days

GuyMartinsSideburns · 02/01/2017 17:38

I'll join you please!

Could do with losing a stone. I'll start tomorrow as I've just had pasta for dinner (only a small bowl but I generally avoid all carbs). Considering trying 4:3 to start with, I've never tried this before so fingers crossed. I usually run 4 times a week or so but have been shelving it over Xmas so time to get back on it.

Height 5.3"
Weight 9st 7lb

Iamblossom · 02/01/2017 17:56

Fast day today.

Nothing but a carrot so far, and water/tea/coffee. Went to gym at lunch time.

Tea is prawn stir fry made with the tescos frozen oriental stir fry veg, doesn't need oil, I add a tin of chopped tomatoes and curry powder. Usually follow it with two ten cal jellies with blueberries and seeds.

Pleased that I have got back on the fasting horse. Will try Wednesday for my second.

Ipitythescale · 02/01/2017 19:24

I have booked my first combat class of the year tomorrow after work. Chicken and beetroot salad for lunch tomorrow and have a sausage and bean casserole in the slow cooker for tomorrow's dinner (435 calories). Full on fast day sorted for Wednesday. I am strangely looking forward to it HmmHmm

jugotmail · 02/01/2017 20:15

Umm was going to fast today but as its the last day of hols i was 'persuaded' that pizza was a necessary dinner - oops start tomorrow then. On the plus side i managed to get out for the first big walk of the year with 2 1/2 hous along the beach so maybe its not all bad (crosses fingers and hopes!). Finished most of the Christmas goodies so the fridge will be restocked with glorious fruit and veg tomorrow.

ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged · 02/01/2017 21:49

You're also good at fasting! I tried today but found it really hard. I'm definitely a snacker by nature.

ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged · 02/01/2017 21:50
  • all so
Chipsandonionrings · 02/01/2017 22:00

Hi all. I would like to give this a try I have 5st 9lb to lose according to the nhsBlush

I have a little bash at this ages ago but got a bit over whelmed with calories and meal plans etc.

I have started a job and I work Sat and Sun - I know the book says not to fast on consecutive days but I work around food in a hot environment and rarely feel like eating so it seems a good fit for me to fast then. I would also fast weds as I work then. Has anyone tried a similar pattern?

Balloondog · 02/01/2017 22:28

I'm in too please!

I did this for a couple of months and lost 4 kgs last spring but the stress of an international move and working from home in the presence of my husband who seems to eat all the live long day and not gain a gram has contributed to it all creeping back on. I'm currently 73 kgs and would like to get down to 60/62.

I really struggle with being home all day around easily accessible food and working long hours and I rarely get any exercise in. I've just downloaded a 7 minute workout app and am hoping to get at least a little movement accomplished every day.

Stingray2008 · 02/01/2017 23:05

Im fasting tomorrow as its the first day of normality. Hopefully i can manage.

Iamblossom · 03/01/2017 08:16

If you get hungry have a hot drink. It is hard to feel ravenous with a hot cup of tea or coffee in you.

The mantra "you can have it tomorrow" is useful.

BigChoc's 5:2 thread is very useful for advice and information.

Back to back fast days are hard core but if you do do them you can have 600 a day instead of 500 and still lose weight.

I am a pound down after my fast day yesterday. Going to do another one tomorrow.

Good luck everyone fasting today!

ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged · 03/01/2017 10:55

Do hot drinks count in your calories though blossom? I think about 100 calories of my fast yesterday were on tea/coffee.

Toooldtobearsed · 03/01/2017 14:15

I drink black coffee, never have taken sugar, so that is no problem, but ditch the milk.

Chips, i do two consecutive days, Tues and Weds for me and have no problems at all. I know the advice is two non consecutive days, so i guess it just depends on how well you cope with it. Also, keep it simple as far as food goes, you do not need to cook elaborate but low cal meals. I appreciate that for some people, it makes dinner more of a 'treat', but for me personally, i dont want to give much thought to what to make - i cant be arsed with weighing and measuring, so just eat very simply.