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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

Supporting each other on 24+ hour fasts

285 replies

LittleLamzyDivey · 25/03/2025 05:23

As promised, here's the new thread for us long fasters as the old one is nearly full.
Check in when you are able and let us know how you're doing!

OP posts:
zanahoria · 03/07/2025 12:35

I feel great today. It is good to know I can keep doing this, every time feels more normal. I would like to get into a pattern of once a week,even once month but right now it feels like something I can do when it feels right. Monday was the perfect hot today to avoid eating and once I am started I am OK for a few days.

Mainly ate cheese sandwiches and nuts last night but will eat a proper meal tonight, not eaten all day as not really hungry right now.

It makes sense for you to break your fast before driving, I always try to keep busy but avoid stress during fasts.

Halfpenny58 · 03/07/2025 12:52

@zanahoria that’s great, I love the feeling after fasting, gives me a real boost. Interesting you like to keep busy, I am the opposite and other than a gentle walk in the park I tend to hibernate through a fast. Bit annoyed I have to break it tbh. Thinking of restarting again. I am supposed to have the house to myself until Tuesday but this came up. I will break my shortish fast with roast chicken, roast courgettes and Swiss chard.

Flibbertyjibberty · 04/07/2025 07:07

@zanahoria wow, 66 hours! I’m impressed. The hot weather sure does make it easier. Fasting affects my sleep too, it’s a bit annoying. @Halfpenny58 congrats on the 42 hours as well. I finished a 42 hour fast yesterday and broke it with a delicious meal at a local cafe. I was full quite quickly though and had to take some food (and a brownie) home in a box. I was never that person - I used to be a clean plate no matter what gal! I love how fasting changes how you think about food and appetite etc. hope anyone fasting today has a good day.

Halfpenny58 · 05/07/2025 11:41

Thanks @Flibbertyjibberty and well done on your fast too. I am doing one meal a day for 5 days. Feel better after my fast and it’s put me in the mood to clean up my act. My one meal is lentils and various roast veg, big plateful at 6 pm. Have a good weekend everyone.

zanahoria · 08/07/2025 09:09

I am back on track, 34 hours in.

This time I am planning to stop tomorrow morning. I want to try and plan these things a bit better rather than the open ended approach. Last night was a bit tricky but am feeling good today.

zanahoria · 09/07/2025 18:25

I gave up on 47 hours, once again being tempted when I settled down to watch a bit of telly and convincing myself I could not sleep on an empty stomach

NotAnotherHeatwave · 09/07/2025 21:29

We’re just back from holiday, so lots of indulgence 😬

I did my usual once a week 36 hour fast today. I had plenty to do so keeping busy helped.

I really need to do something else though as I am slowly gaining weight!

The 10 hours of exercise a week is keeping me fit, but not slim. I should probably do a second weekly 36 hour of fast, but can’t seem to face it…

126orbust · 14/07/2025 15:29

Reading through the thread is so motivational - 66hrs!!!!. Great to have somewhere to look for strength and inspiration in the middle of a fast when the going gets tough.
We have been away and had a house full then away again for the last 6 weeks but I now have 5 weeks to the next trip and bar one big 3 day event this weekend there is nothing to get in the way of fasting etc.
So very pleased to say that I was just 4lbs up on my lowest weight this morning. Started my fast at 2pm yesterday and am hoping to go through to 8pm tonight. Easing myself back into things again with a 30hr one and hoping to see a big movement on the scales tomorrow. I'm ever hopeful.
I shall treat myself to a glass of chilled water now.

zanahoria · 14/07/2025 17:07

I was going to go again today but had family over yesterday and too many leftovers to eat up

126orbust · 14/07/2025 23:18

There's always tomorrow @zanahoria . Much inspired by the thread I decided to power through at 8pm and try and get to lunch tomorrow. Got a bit peckish 20 minutes ago so have drunk half a glass of water and am now settling down. Good luck all.

zanahoria · 15/07/2025 07:30

Next time I have family round I will say we are all on a fast and serve up empty plates

126orbust · 15/07/2025 12:24

Wouldn't that shake them up @zanahoria 😂
Very pleased to say i am now just 1.5lbs over my lowest weight so am hopeful I will get below that in the next week or two.

StealthSightHound · 16/07/2025 08:38

This reply has been withdrawn

Removed at poster's request

StealthSightHound · 16/07/2025 08:40

This reply has been withdrawn

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zanahoria · 16/07/2025 09:46

Good luck, it is huge leap to get over but well worth it when you get there

StressyMessyJess · 29/07/2025 11:35

Hi, I'm not sure if this thread is still running but it was nice to read some positivity around fasting.
Ive been fasting for years and currently fsst between 5pm Sunday to 5pm Wednesday. I do have some tea with milk and occasional 0 cal squash.
I find sleep my biggest struggle, my mind feels overactive when fasting and can't shut off

zanahoria · 29/07/2025 12:23

StressyMessyJess · 29/07/2025 11:35

Hi, I'm not sure if this thread is still running but it was nice to read some positivity around fasting.
Ive been fasting for years and currently fsst between 5pm Sunday to 5pm Wednesday. I do have some tea with milk and occasional 0 cal squash.
I find sleep my biggest struggle, my mind feels overactive when fasting and can't shut off

Edited

I am still going but still struggling to get fasts going beyond 18 hours. I tried a few times since the last one (it is handy to post here to record them) but finally managed it last night. Last ate 2 am on Monday morning.

I often feel a bit lethargic in the summer so hoping this will clear my head a bit.

I do not worry too much about tea and coffee, sometimes I have dash of milk or oat milk other times it feels better not to.

I am planning a nice evening bike ride, I am hoping that will take my mind of things and get me to sleep easily when I get back

zanahoria · 30/07/2025 18:10

I quit last evening about nine, all going to plan feeling good only half an hour before but then suddenly I felt the urge the eat. Oh well, 40 hours is good and I do feel better.

fastingaway · 04/08/2025 12:57

I haven’t been on a while - life, holidays, social events. Really feeling it in the body - bloating, weight gain, insomnia, perimenopausal symptoms - the works. You only realise how much the fasting was helping once you stop. But trying to get back to it and will build up slowly. Trying a 20 hr fast today - although not completely clean (a couple of coffees with cream thrown in).

how is everybody doing - anybody still fasting?

I still have a few events through August but hopefully not as busy as July and will try and sneak in a few fasts as and when I can.

GaraMedouar · 04/08/2025 16:06

Hi @fastingaway - I’ve just joined this thread. New to fasting. Always hard to get back on track - but good for you - to ease into it - coffee with cream sounds perfect.
I’m doing ADF - My first fast day was Sunday 27 July and I’ve done ADF since then - today is a fast day. It’s turned into 36/12 as a norm so I’ll be eating breakfast, lunch and dinner tomorrow.
I don’t actually feel too hungry on a fast day it’s just I want to eat out of habit. I try and tell myself I’m delaying not denying. I’ve lost around 2lbs in a week.

tiredwitless · 06/08/2025 07:54

Hi
I’m reading through this thread and finding it very helpful. I’ve been doing IF16:8 since March. I did OMAD for a few weeks in June July and 2 or 3 36-42 hour fasts. I found the longer fasts not too difficult at the time but found I wanted to eat and eat afterwards, and probably undid a lot of the benefit. I also felt irritable and a bit shaky towards end of long fasts.
I want to get back to doing longer fasts though and am going to pay more attention to electrolytes.
Going to do OMAD today to start stretching it out again.

fastingaway · 06/08/2025 23:42

Thanks @GaraMedouarADF is impressive. It’s the gold standard for weight loss. I managed the 21 hour fast but not much after that. Just a few short ones. Welcome on board @tiredwitless

fastingaway · 09/08/2025 00:17

Attempted a full day fast today and will plan to go through to tomorrow morning. It wasn’t a clean one and involved two espressos with coconut milk and two cups of tea - so progress even though not back to what I used to do. Busy weekend but hoping to get a bit more fasting in early next week.

zanahoria · 09/08/2025 08:54

I am currently trying to get a fast going every Monday and succeeding about one week in two. If it doesn't work I forget about it and the try and go again the next week. I have done long fasts but my aim now is to try and get them into a regular pattern. I also want to stabilize what I eat when not fasting.

Last Monday I was going well but fell at the last hurdle, that moment when I sit down for the evening about sundown and having a nibble feels inviting but the thought of trying to sleep on an empty stomach does not.

GaraMedouar · 09/08/2025 10:12

I’ve been doing ADF for 2 weeks now and lost about 4lbs, which is ok (would’ve hoped for more but that is probably wishful thinking )- problem is I have a wedding weekend next weekend then I’m off on an all inclusive holiday for a week after.
Is it best to just try and be sensible, enjoy the break and then plan to restart from
1 Sep? - it’s a shame as I had some momentum - I normally never stick to anything!! But mentally it might be better to know I’m jumping off rather than beating myself up. I suppose at least I know I can do it.