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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 Thread 95 : Lockdowns are lifting, as are we

996 replies

ListeningQuietly · 11/03/2021 18:48

Welcome to the continuing thread for those following 5:2 or other forms of IF (Intermittent Fasting) such as 4:3, ADF, or daily 16:8 smile

Last thread was here
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/fasting_diet/4128689-5-2-Thread-94-Its-a-New-Year-a-New-Day-and-were-feeling-GOOD

Basically it is 2 very low cal days ("fasts") per week - which need not be consecutive - and eat "normally" to maintain on the other 5 days.

For those who have dieted or maybe overeaten for years, eating "normally"
means roughly the number of calories your body needs to maintain - NOT reduce - its weight (see TDEE calculator below).

IMPORTANT
If you have had past diagnosed Eating Disorders or serious MH problems you should NOT do 5:2 or any other kind of fasting

JARGON alert

16:8 is a different type of fasting, which can be combined with 5:2.
Daily zero-cal fast for 16 hours and eat within an 8 hour window. To lose weight, this needs a weekly calorie deficit as well

b2b (optional) back-to-back / consecutive fast days, each with an increased allowance of 650 calories instead of 500

BMI (Body Mass Index) healthy range is 18.5 - 24.9 for Caucasians. Upper limit may be 22 for some of Asian origin.

FD = single Fast Day: aim for 500 calories (600 for men or 25% TDEE whichever is higher) or 1000 cals for BF
No alcohol or junk on FDs
Even if you exercise strenuously, do NOT increase FD cals to allow for exercise

MFP = My Fitness Pal, a useful App or website to track food & drink calories

miniFD = MiniFD, 850-1000 calories, no alcohol or junk

NFD = Non-Fast Day, averages around TDEE

NSV / LSV = Non Scale Victory / LifeStyle (change) Victory, e.g. compliment, smaller waist, clothes size

SV = Scale Victory

TDEE = Total Daily Energy Expenditure, the average number of calories you burn in a day, is calculated from your current weight, height, age, activity level.
Aim to average about this for NFDs.

WOE / WOL = Way Of Eating / Way Of Life. We say this instead of "diet", to emphasise that we must make a permanent change in how we eat, to maintain our new healthy weight long term.

There is LOTS more information in the header of Thread 93
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/fasting_diet/4057993-5-2-Thread-number-93-Drive-in-the-fasting-lane-to-goal

Jump in and say hello

OP posts:
harriethoyle · 23/04/2021 13:43

How lovely @MazDazzle sounds a really fantastic way to celebrate. We've got our second garden social tonight (bbq at favourite bil's) and I'm really looking forward to it!

MazDazzle · 23/04/2021 18:38

Enjoy your bbq harriet! This last year has definitely made us all appreciate the things we used to take for granted.

Kitchen closed on roughly 500 cals. Had chicken with bacon, peppers and tomato and and some low fat houmous and veg sticks on the side. My ‘D’H is off to buy some beers. I’ll just sip my fruit tea!

ginsparkles · 23/04/2021 19:53

Hi @MazDazzle ! I was with you in spirit for the FD today. Kitchen closing on 650. Higher than normal but happy enough for a third one. Hopefully kind scales will await us both tomorrow morning.

MazDazzle · 23/04/2021 21:50

Here’s hoping. Well done on your FD and good luck on the scale tomorrow.

I’m sooo hungry. My friend FaceTimed this evening while she was eating toast!

I can have it tomorrow, I can have it tomorrow, I can have it tomorrow...

PartTimeDomesticGoddess · 23/04/2021 22:07

Stay strong, you've got this @MazDazzle
You're right, you can have toast tomorrow. Maybe clean your teeth?

MazDazzle · 23/04/2021 23:04

Teeth cleaned and off to bed.

ginsparkles · 23/04/2021 23:10

Well done @MazDazzle ! Sleep well xx

PartTimeDomesticGoddess · 24/04/2021 12:08

Hope you enjoyed your toast this morning @MazDazzle!

ListeningQuietly · 24/04/2021 20:16

DH, DD and I went out for breakfast this morning to a FAB cafe
it was so nice to have food served

OP posts:
ginsparkles · 25/04/2021 07:41

@ListeningQuietly oooh that sounds lovely! Dd and I met a friend and had pizza in the sunshine. Almost felt like the world was going back to normal!

Work today and then a BBQ later. Stayed under Tdee yesterday, aiming for the same today.

harriethoyle · 26/04/2021 08:21

Morning all, I'm pushing my usual b2b to tomorrow and Wednesday having had my jab yesterday and feeling a bit groggy this morning. Just going to take it easy today. Good luck to any fasters!

ginsparkles · 26/04/2021 13:14

Afternoon! Hope the Monday fasters are doing ok. Sneaky weigh this morning, 2lb down from same time last week so that will do after a day of BBQ and wine over indulging yesterday!

Fasting today, so far just a cup of tea or two. Have some tomatoes and a yoghurt to keep me going and a prawn stir fry for tea tonight.

KobaniDaughters · 26/04/2021 15:14

Just place marking again - good luck casters!

MazDazzle · 26/04/2021 17:51

Well done gin!

It’s so nice to get back to a little bit of normality, isn’t it? We had a lovely weekend in the garden. Ordered a posh picnic from a local caterer and the sun shone!

Day 1 of b2b today. Was busy with work so it’s been as easy one (I’m probably still full from the weekend!). Had beans on toast and a yogurt for dinner. Kitchen closed on 560 cals.

ginsparkles · 26/04/2021 20:15

Kitchen closing for me on 559.

How's it going @MazDazzle @harriethoyle ?

harriethoyle · 26/04/2021 20:19

I'm not fasting today @ginsparkles - absolutely knackered and a very sore arm. So am deferring to tomorrow in the hope I'll be over the wordt by then... Smile

harriethoyle · 26/04/2021 20:19

the *worst

ginsparkles · 26/04/2021 20:22

@harriethoyle ahhh so you are, totally mis read your post! My brain isn't working properly yet!

MazDazzle · 26/04/2021 21:01

I’ve cleaned my teeth and now I’m painting my nails!

I will brave the scales in the morning.

Good luck tomorrow gin

Witchone1 · 26/04/2021 22:33

Done for today at 580..bit high for my liking but was a tough day. Will be better tomorrow 🤞

Equimum · 27/04/2021 10:00

Can I hop on please? I’ve decided to have a go at the 5:2 having failed to lose any weight a few months back with straightforward calorie restriction. I gained weight a few years back when I had to eat huge amounts to support breastfeeding for my son who was struggling to gain weight. I then seem to have experience gradual creep every since. I’m not 65.5kg which is the heaviest I’ve ever been! Ideally I’d like to get to around 60-61, which would put my BMI around 20, which has always been my norm, and is where I am much happier.

Witchone1 · 27/04/2021 11:42

Welcome @Equimum...I started this journey only 2 weeks ago...still new and learning from this amazing gp. On 2nd day of b2b FD today 😊

Equimum · 27/04/2021 11:56

Thanks Witchone1. How have you found it so far? And how is the b2b going. That sounds hardcore! Let me know how it goes.

I’ve decided to try having a coffee with milk in the morning, then an early, salad & protein lunch. I’ll be busy all afternoon, so hoping to not struggle too much before dinner with the kids around 6. Currently starving, so think I’ll look more at doing a ‘brunch’ and dinner set-up next time. Will try to do next day on Thursday, then from next week, get into a Monday/ Thursday pattern.

harriethoyle · 27/04/2021 12:31

Checking in for day 1. Not sure if a b2b yet... just had some soup and feeling ok. Bolognese for tea with broccoli instead of pasta.

ginsparkles · 27/04/2021 12:33

Welcome @Equimum !

Good luck fasters! Have a great day.