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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:
BaconAndAvocado · 09/08/2021 11:04

Thanks absolutelyknackeredcow
Good luck with your FDs this week.

I also had an over indulgent weekend and not quite sure when I'm doing my FDs this week, got a lot on that involves food.

MazDazzle · 09/08/2021 11:25

Great to see the thread still going strong. I’ve been skiving lately.

First FD in months today. Blush

harriethoyle · 09/08/2021 11:56

@absolutelyknackeredcow @MazDazzle good luck today!

I am fasting Tues-Thurs this week after a very indulgent weekend... Need to rein it back in! ;-)

OP posts:
absolutelyknackeredcow · 09/08/2021 12:13

Hello @MazDazzle !

absolutelyknackeredcow · 09/08/2021 12:15

@harriethoyle - all the parties and holidays are not helping reach my target weight but the fasting is helping me not put on! I am hoping that three this week will put me on the straight and narrow

harriethoyle · 09/08/2021 13:28

Exactly my view @absolutelyknackeredcow!

OP posts:
EATmum · 09/08/2021 18:18

Back on fasting today after a week of eating baked goods and watching other people be sporty (ie the Olympics). Not eaten anything yet and very excited about having salmon shortly.

absolutelyknackeredcow · 09/08/2021 20:20

Kitchen closed on 561 on first day of b2b

absolutelyknackeredcow · 09/08/2021 20:21

Not too bad but I know I will be hungry tomorrow

absolutelyknackeredcow · 09/08/2021 20:21

How have others done ?

BaconAndAvocado · 09/08/2021 20:27

Kitchen closed at 495.
Decided to do b2b today and tomorrow.

I really did eat too many nice things over the weekend so I'm not sure if the scales will be as kind this week.

harriethoyle · 10/08/2021 08:41

Morning! Signing in for day 1 of b2b... anyone with me?

OP posts:
absolutelyknackeredcow · 10/08/2021 09:35

Hi @harriethoyle!
I'm on day 2 -currently feeling fine but it tends to be the evening when I want to eat the walls

BaconAndAvocado · 10/08/2021 10:14

I'm on day 2 too.....

Quite busy until 2pm when it will start to get harder.

Not sure having a weigh-in 4 days after another is a good idea.
Hoping to have plateaued this week.
Honestly don't think a loss is possible.

harriethoyle · 10/08/2021 12:10

I was supposed to be really busy but work changes mean I'm done for the day. Argh! Have been for a run to keep out of the kitchen...

OP posts:
BaconAndAvocado · 10/08/2021 14:33

@harriethoyle

I was supposed to be really busy but work changes mean I'm done for the day. Argh! Have been for a run to keep out of the kitchen...
Well done on the run harriethoyle I managed to do 20 minute hiit yesterday, legs are struggling today!
BaconAndAvocado · 10/08/2021 19:01

Just finished dinner, 565 today.

I could murder a couple of digestives,........

absolutelyknackeredcow · 10/08/2021 19:33

Kitchen closed on 600 not bad for day 2 of back to back.
Have an incredibly food heavy day tomorrow.
Doing a mini on Thursday

harriethoyle · 10/08/2021 20:21

Kitchen closed on 519 for day one of my b2b which suits me down to the ground and means I can have breakfast tomorrow!

I'm aiming for a FD on thursday too because I've just had an incredibly boozy weekend and I've got Dsd and in laws staying Friday-Tuesday so there'll be a lot of eating... should I aim for 500 as a true FD or 650 seeing it's day three in a row? Any ideas?

OP posts:
absolutelyknackeredcow · 11/08/2021 07:25

A maintain for me this week - pretty pleased with that
Going to do a mini/ full fast tomorrow as well to give me some wiggle room for the weekend

harriethoyle · 11/08/2021 08:50

Well done @absolutelyknackeredcow!

I'm up and feeling strong - able to have breakfast this morning because I back loaded my b2b and should still only come in at c.650 for the day. Have a busy day work wise which always helps...

Anyone else with me?

OP posts:
heregoes74 · 11/08/2021 10:57

morning everyone, can I join please?

I must admit I am a lapsed 5:2er (have name changed) I've restarted 5:2 on every single Monday this whole year and by Tuesday its all gone tits up Blush with a vow to start again next Monday. I'm just struggling to stick to anything. Help!!!

I'm perimenopausal and the hormones are really pissing it around this time, I am always hungry or grumpy or tired and wanting an easy way out, come TOTM I am ravenous and struggle to eat healthily at all. Hence I am the biggest I've ever been Sad

Throw into the mix working from home and an imminent house move, I am also v v stressed, but I can't keep going on like this.

I've had 2 good days where I've stuck to my TDEE and today is my first FD, all good so far, just a couple cups of tea. I am planning low cal soup and some chicken for lunch and a huge salad with a bit of turkey for dinner. Wish me luck Grin

absolutelyknackeredcow · 11/08/2021 12:30

Welcome @heregoes74 !
My view is that it takes 5 weeks to get used to a fasting so bare that in mind.
I also think everyone needs to work out what is the best combination of food for them on fasts - I have a very set menu I have on these days
The thought of it is always worse than the reality so bare that in mind

harriethoyle · 11/08/2021 14:01

Good luck @heregoes74 - try and reframe your mindset so if you don't manage a tuesday FD that's it until the following week. Just crack on the next day and nail the FD! Also plan your FD food in advance so you have it in rather than shopping on a FD. Let us know how you get on!

OP posts:
heregoes74 · 11/08/2021 16:08

thanks both..... some good advice
I will keep posting here to keep myself accountable Smile