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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 96: Slinking into summer, one FD at a time!

982 replies

harriethoyle · 14/07/2021 09:24

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:
EatYourFive · 16/11/2021 07:44

Thanks for the welcome @Solderingon and @absolutelyknackeredcow!
And thanks for the tips too, very useful! I really hope to keep it up this time.. Will try and log what I eat on my NFDs although I probably can't keep it up, just find it tricky and time consuming to log home-cooked meals.
Does anyone do 16:8 (or whatever it's called) on non-fast days? Just wondering if it would be a good idea..

Did my first fast day yesterday and all good, finished at exactly 500 calories according to nutracheck. Not feeling too bad this morning so thinking of just getting on with it and doing two days B2B. I find it easier to diet when I work from home (hate having a rumbling tummy at meetings!!) which I did yesterday and again today whereas I have to go to the office on Wednesday and Thursday.

absolutelyknackeredcow · 16/11/2021 12:42

Well done for first fast day @EatYourFive
I'm on day 2 of b2b - feeling strong

Solderingon · 16/11/2021 20:21

Evening, just working out whether to close up shop for the day. I've got about 200 Cals left of tdee.
Tomorrow is another FD with a workout in the morning, so maybe a tiny bar of chocolate would help?... 😂

MazzleDazzle · 16/11/2021 20:25

Well done @absolutelyknackeredcow. I’ll be joining you tomorrow. Welcome ans well done to @EatYourFive!

Kids were off for inset days & it was my day of today too. Had planned on fasting, but couldn’t face it, so we went out for lunch instead! Really need to knuckle down tomorrow though and get a b2b in before Friday.

absolutelyknackeredcow · 16/11/2021 21:18

You can do it @MazzleDazzle
Just finishing up my b2b
Had a NSV as I tried on two dresses - both size 12 - both swamping me !!

MazzleDazzle · 16/11/2021 22:44

That’s fabulous! Well done. Makes all those FDs worth it.

harriethoyle · 17/11/2021 07:24

Morning gang - MIA at the beginning of this week so doing b2b today and tomorrow. Not looking forward to them so late in the week!

Well done @absolutelyknackeredcow that's fab...

OP posts:
absolutelyknackeredcow · 17/11/2021 07:49

Thanks all. Actual scale victory now
Weighing in 9lbs from the 25th of October. It's not just 5:2. I have been keeping under TDEE on NFD and not drinking - oh and the food poisoning but I'm pleased SmileSmile

absolutelyknackeredcow · 17/11/2021 07:51

Maintaining is always my problem though - I only have to look at a donut and it's on my thighs

GertrudeOne · 17/11/2021 18:19

Hey ! Can I join? Previous 5:2 was my thing Ive done it a few years back and then again over summer but fancy s change..I need to loose around 10 pounds now. Can we change the fasting times every few days to ensure I get a Decent meal in before I fast?
Ta x

harriethoyle · 17/11/2021 22:23

Kitchen closed on 740 so I'll have to pull it back tomorrow... day 2 beckons. Did a Jillian Michael's this morning and same tomorrow.

Welcome @GertrudeOne - fast whenever you like but beware of overeating the night before a FD or you'll undo all your hard work!

OP posts:
absolutelyknackeredcow · 17/11/2021 22:51

Well done@harriethoyle

fudgecat · 18/11/2021 16:40

Hey, FD for me today, been really busy so not had much chance to think about food. Planning on egg on toast with mushrooms tonight, worked out I can even afford to have a few slices of bacon without going over 500 so looking forward to that. DH birthday tomorrow so lunch out, cake and a takeaway will probably undo all of the hard work

harriethoyle · 18/11/2021 21:54

Same and same @fudgecat! Kitchen closing on 660. Little bit high but gives a 1400 total for my b2b which isn't horrendous and a quiet Saturday planned so my wine count will be lower than usual Grin

OP posts:
MazzleDazzle · 19/11/2021 09:26

After a month of 3 FDs each week, being careful on most NFD and only drinking twice, I’ve lost a grand total of 4lbs.

If this is 40, can I have my 30s back please!

At least I’m going in the right direction, albeit slowly.

harriethoyle · 19/11/2021 12:36

That sucks @MazzleDazzle BUT - it's over a quarter of a stone which is not to be sniffed at although I totally get why you're a bit gutted. I would be too!

OP posts:
harriethoyle · 19/11/2021 12:36

That sucks @MazzleDazzle BUT - it's over a quarter of a stone which is not to be sniffed at although I totally get why you're a bit gutted. I would be too!

OP posts:
harriethoyle · 19/11/2021 12:37

I'm still in blissful ignorance about my actual weight because I can't find a replacement battery for the scales! Might keep them that way...!

Doing some training today which finishes mid afternoon so I am going to knock out a Jillian work out before heading to the supermarket for Friday wine. Balance in all things!

OP posts:
Holidayhumbug · 20/11/2021 14:50

Hi
Wanting to start 5:2 but have never done anything like this before. Hoping to find some motivation/inspiration on this thread Smile

needtogetfit21 · 20/11/2021 22:20

Hi all

Anyone got the link to the exercise or fitness thread Original OP ran on this board? There was also a recipe thread..

I'm looking for the 2-5 min fat blast that BCF frequently referred to.

needtogetfit21 · 20/11/2021 22:43

5:2 / IF Exercise & Fitness Thread Number 3: Advice and information for those following Intermittent Fasting .... and anyone else too www.mumsnet.com/Talk/fasting_diet/2369081-5-2-IF-Exercise-Fitness-Thread-Number-3-Advice-and-information-for-those-following-Intermittent-Fasting-and-anyone-else-too

Found it!

harriethoyle · 21/11/2021 19:35

Anyone joining me tomorrow? I'm doing a b2b Monday and Tuesday Grin

OP posts:
fudgecat · 21/11/2021 19:51

@harriethoyle

Anyone joining me tomorrow? I'm doing a b2b Monday and Tuesday Grin
Yep, count me in
harriethoyle · 21/11/2021 20:26

Fabulous @fudgecat - I'm already dreading it ;-) We'll have to keep each other strong!

OP posts:
EatYourFive · 22/11/2021 07:33

@harriethoyle me too, doing b2b today and tomorrow. My weekend was a disaster when it comes to dieting/healthy eating so feeling particularly motivated!