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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:
Benjispruce2 · 21/03/2021 15:14

Thanks. Hope it’s not a wipe out as covering year 6 tomorrow! Will see how I go. All went well, super efficient.

Benjispruce2 · 22/03/2021 06:44

Well I feel rough this morning after yesterday’s vaccination. Like I got drunk last night and fell over but without the fun! Don’t want to eat a thing so I’ll do my FD as usual. Perhaps it’ll let my body concentrate on building immunity? Good luck fasters!

harriethoyle · 22/03/2021 07:21

I'm joining you @Benjispruce2. Thought it was Sunday when I woke up and was thinking about fried eggs on toast for breakfast.. then realised it was Monday, a FD and I haven't got a kitchen! Hopefully it's being delivered today and installed this week...

Benjispruce2 · 22/03/2021 07:23

Oh @harriethoyle we did ours 2 years ago so I feel your pain. Worth it in the end!

harriethoyle · 22/03/2021 07:54

@Benjispruce2 we've been without a kitchen since JANUARY because of the work needed to get it to a state where units could be fitted... Luckily, we decided to relocate to my husband's house so it was easier to see DSD during lockdown so I haven't had to cope with it for the whole but whenever I've been back here for work it's been microwave meals a gogo! Am here for the next three weeks because of in person as opposed to remote work so it will be nice to see it finally go in...

inthethickofit19 · 22/03/2021 09:34

Can someone please help? How bad is having a full fat coke on fast days? I keep failing coz I'm exhausted and need coke to get me through (short term issue - sleep training my little one after 8 weeks of being unwell).

If I stick to calorie allowance with a coke then surely that's better than no fast day right? Need to get back into the swing of it.

I just can't stomach coffee / other caffeine hot drinks. I know I should switch to diet / Coke Zero at the very least and can try to do that in the foreseeable. But for now I think a fd with a coke is best option?

ginsparkles · 22/03/2021 09:49

Morning all. I was planning on fasting today but I have just received the call I was dreading. Dad has passed away this morning.

inthethickofit19 · 22/03/2021 09:54

@ginsparkles

Morning all. I was planning on fasting today but I have just received the call I was dreading. Dad has passed away this morning.
Oh my goodness I am so sorry to hear this. Sending prayers and love. May your dear dad rest in peace x
PartTimeDomesticGoddess · 22/03/2021 10:26

I'm so sorry to hear that @ginsparkles Thanks

KylieKoKo · 22/03/2021 11:27

So sorry to hear that @ginsparkles

harriethoyle · 22/03/2021 12:17

@ginsparkles I am so, so sorry to hear this. All the big love. Take good care of yourself xx

MazDazzle · 22/03/2021 12:36

So sorry for your loss gin. Flowers

Benjispruce2 · 22/03/2021 12:42

So sorry for your loss @ginsparklesFlowers

ginsparkles · 22/03/2021 12:46

Thank you all. I'll be lurking but may not post much.

SailorGeri · 22/03/2021 13:14

I'm so sorry for your loss @ginsparkles Thanks

KobaniDaughters · 22/03/2021 14:18

Oh @ginsparkles I’m so very sorry Flowers

ilovebagpuss · 22/03/2021 14:46

So sorry for your loss @ginsparkles

ListeningQuietly · 22/03/2021 14:54

Ginsparkles
I'm so sorry. Try to look after yourself as best you can and know that he is no longer in pain.

OP posts:
ListeningQuietly · 22/03/2021 14:57

inthethick
Full fat coke is just empty calories.
Any sweetened fizzy drink can confuse the metabolism.
If needs be go full caffeine, no sugar.
BUT
Sleep deprivation is a monster so do what you need to do and then get back on the straight and narrow when you are more rested.

OP posts:
ilovebagpuss · 22/03/2021 15:27

Monday FD half way through chicken salad for lunch and mushrooms on toast with a poached egg planned for dinner later.
Fingers crossed it’s going ok so far.

KylieKoKo · 22/03/2021 15:47

I was going to fast today but woke up slightly hungover after red wine last night and absolutely starving so I have deferred my fast til tomorrow. Will either do B2B or Thursday.

Benjispruce2 · 22/03/2021 16:44

Starting to feel better after jab and managed my FD.on water and paracetamol plus a few spoons of Cajun quinoa from Aldi! I really fancy beans on toast tonight . Appetite not back properly but I’m craving that so will go with it.

MazDazzle · 22/03/2021 19:15

Glad you’re feeling better Benji.

If you can switch from full sugar to diet that would be a start inthethick. Empty calls go straight to your waistline. I understand though - when mine were younger I could have happily reached for a can of Diet Coke first thing in morning!

FD for me today. I was starving at work but managed to hold out til dinner, which was an omelette with chorizo, onion and red pepper and some cheese. Came in at 550 cals.

I’m away to clear away the kids’ plates without eating anything, because I am not a dustbin!

FD are definitely trickier without tea, coffee or fizzy drinks, but I feel so much better for it. My tummy feels better and I’ve been going to bed sleepy.

Happy fasting everyone.

harriethoyle · 22/03/2021 21:43

Kitchen closed at 660. B2b day 2 tomorrow 👊

ilovebagpuss · 23/03/2021 07:21

Fast day went well yesterday but I found it was a long bloomin evening until bed even with a bath and some tidying.
Also struggling with sleep as I’m hungry which is hard might have to save some calories for a little something later on.
Does anyone have any tips for not being hungry all night ? Thanks

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