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Fasting / 5:2 diet

5:2 Diet Thread: Part Four! Sit down, have a cuppa..

983 replies

GreenEggsAndNichts · 20/09/2012 22:36

The continuing thread for those of us following either the 5:2 diet or the alternate-day fasting diet. Both are two versions of Intermittent Fasting, which you can read more about here.

The 5:2 diet was featured on Horizon recently, and essentially requires you to fast for 2 non-consecutive days per week. The other 5 days, you can eat what you like. Alternate-day fasting is just how it sounds; you fast every other day. By "fasting", we mean that we keep our calorie consumption very low, around 500 calories on average, on those days.

Here is a list of the links we've gathered so far about this diet. I hope I haven't left many out, but it was a 40 page thread! This is a good start for anyone, though:

First things first, here is a link to our previous thread, which we've outgrown. Lots of good support and ideas still to be found there. Here is the thread before that..

Here is the link to the BBC article regarding Michael Mosley's findings, which was featured on Horizon.

is a link to the first part of the aforementioned Horizon, subsequent parts of that episode are linked on that page.

A blog post here gives some of the scientific explanation for why this way of eating helps you to not only lose weight, but improve your all-around health.

A Telegraph article which comments on the diet and gives a brief overview.

A study discussed here gives commentary specifically addressing the effect of this diet on obese people (both men and women), with regard to both health and weight loss. ("After 8 weeks of treatment, participants had an average 12.5 lbs reduction in body weight and a 4 cm decrease in waist circumference. Total fat mass declined by about 12 lbs while lean body mass remained relatively constant.) it also mentions "Plasma adiponectin, a protein hormone that is elevated in obesity and associated with heart disease, dropped by 30%. As did LDL cholesterol (25%) and triglycerides (32%).")

Important link if you are currently your ideal BMI: this appears to suggest the benefits for women at a lower BMI might not be seeing the same health benefits that are found on men at their ideal BMI.

And for those already fasting, here is a link to 100 snacks under 100 calories. :)

Another food link, here is a link to the BBC Goof Food site, with a list of low-calorie soups.

We often mention basal metabolic rate (BMR) here. This refers to the amount of energy (calories) a person uses when at rest; so, the basic number of calories a person needs to stay the same weight. This number is often quoted as being 2000 calories for the "average" woman, but of course is different depending on how tall you are, how much you weigh, etc. Here is a calculator which will easily help you to find out what your BMR is.

A BIG THANK YOU to all who have been contributing, btw. Most of us are new to this diet. All of the links above have been posted by others in our previous thread, and they've been very helpful. Sorry if I haven't given credit where it's due, but it was just enough of a job getting them all in one post this afternoon. wink

Come join us, and tell us about your experiences with this diet!
OP posts:
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ILoveLemonCurd · 20/09/2012 22:46

Marking my place Wink

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pookey · 20/09/2012 22:49

Thanks for the thread green eggs!

vigglewiggle I am planning to weigh myself on a monthly basis. Trying to avoid being put off by low results on scales or complacent by good results! As others have said its prob a time of the month thing I think I have at least 2 weeks of the month where I am bloated Confused

just eaten 4 slices of bread - think I will have to try and stick to a 2 slices of bread rule for feed days.

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GreenEggsAndNichts · 20/09/2012 22:55

LC I swear, every time I see your name I think "I'm totally going to have some toast with lemon curd my next eating day." :) I haven't yet. Perhaps tomorrow is the day.

pookey I have avoided the scales this week because it's just about TOTM and I know my weight fluctuates during this time. I might weigh myself tomorrow out of habit but whatever I see won't be putting me off!

OP posts:
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GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 20/09/2012 23:04

Marking my place - snacking on trail mix before a mammouth walk, all hail feed day!

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rosemarysage · 21/09/2012 01:01

Thanks Greeneggs for the new thread.

I've made some butter bean and broccoli soup (that was mentioned on thread number 3) and split it into 3 portions and frozen it so I have it ready to go for fast days. I am hoping to make some more soups over the week and stock the freezer up a bit so that I am ready to go on fast days.

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poachedeggs · 21/09/2012 04:25

Just marking my spot. Had to give up once the old thread got huge as I'm generally online from my phone which doesn't like the big ones!

Had my first failed fast day on Wednesday :( foiled by food cravings and a service station empire biscuit. I'm pondering having a go today but I'll be tired (thanks DD for getting me up at this time!) and we have a 300 mile journey to do this afternoon. However I feel a bit like that's looking for excuses to fail before I even try so perhaps I need to have a word with myself!

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BelinaTheChicken · 21/09/2012 06:53

Fast day again, already used 60cals on coffee as had a horrendous night with the DC, nightmares from DS1 who ended up in our bed with his elbow wedged in my ear, and DS2 had a bit of a post injection fever, so woke up every 2 hours. Up at 5.15, and DH still upstairs snuggled up with DS1 Envy.

Need to try and sort out a busy day as it's so much easier to avoid eating when I'm running around like a mad thing. House is a pit as I've just been on 3 nights in a row with no childcare to catch up on sleep (I do nap at work, I'm not superwoman!), so the housework has been completely neglected. Might invite my clean-freak friend round for a play date, that will make me get off my arse Grin

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TellMeLater · 21/09/2012 07:01

Pulls up a chair, cuppa in hand.

I'm logging my food on feed days in mfp - just out of interest - have realised that it's snacking that causes massive peaks in my food intake and I think this diet is helping me break the snacking habit and it has to be a habit because most of the time I snack whilst feeling no hunger.

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catsrus · 21/09/2012 07:01

Thanks greeneegs

Well Friday is official weigh-in day, though the scales have shown me up 1lb on earlier in the week (despite a fast day yesterday) so technically it's now 10 lb in 6 weeks (though i Know it's really 11 Grin). I resisted DDs home make biscuits/cookies last night but did have a glass of low fat milk and nutmeg to help me sleep as th smell of them baking had my stomach rumbling! I might have gone over 500 with my medicinal vodka and the milk Blush, but I'm not going to worry about that - today is an eating day

It's reached the stage where people who haven't seen me for a while are really noticing and it is actually nice to get that external validation a bit Grin GrinGrin

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BrigitBigKnickers · 21/09/2012 07:22

Checking in- feed day for me today- surprised I haven't woken up hungry! I am going to try and be sensible today as have a feeling that if I go too mad this eating plan (refuse to call it a diet) won't work for me.

Very strange but the thing I have been looking forward to the most is my bowl of Dorset luxury cereal for breakfast. But waiting for it as not actually very hungry at the moment Shock

The main thing I am proud of this week is not having had a single drop of wine/ alchohol ShockShockShock I know I usually drink more than I should Blush but just haven't missed it! Hoping I can keep this up as I have slept soooo well this week and had more energy during the day.

Happy feed day!

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frenchfancy · 21/09/2012 07:31

Checking in.

Weigh in Yesterday - 2kg down (4.4lbs). Very happy.

Yesterday was a fast day. Carrot and Corriader Soup for lunch and salmon with stir fried veg for dinner. I really enjoyed it but DH didn't like the veg - too many leeks apparently. Next time he can make it!

Chicken curry and Wine tonight - yeh!

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GirlWithTheMouseyHair · 21/09/2012 07:37

On t'other side of the pond am about to go to bed bloated AGAIN! Last 2 feed days I've ended up so uncomfortable, not like my other feed days where I've paid attention to my body and kept overeating under control.

Grateful for a fast day tomorrow then cos of friends visiting not having another til Tuesday - looks like I need more motivation on feed rather than fast days

Feeling a bit down - why didn't I just stop when I felt full, rather than going on and on til I felt ill?

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rachelblythe · 21/09/2012 08:01

Greeneggs - thanks as always for keeping out thread going, you are a star.

GWTMH - i felt exactly the same as you last night on my feed day. MIL made one if my favourites; her Shepards pie with veg. Usually i will stuff her giant portion straight down but i ate about half and was full, so decided to leave it, but then Few hours later before i went to bed, just because it was still there,i decided to eat the rest.went to bed really uncomfortable and a bit disappointed that i ate it, as i knew i wasn't in the least but hungry for it.next time I'll throw any left overs straight in the bin.

Faddy day for me, got a stinking cold, about to have a cold and flu sachet and hope it starts to kick in quickly, as taking DS to a Childrens adventure land today, like we go every Friday. Poor planning though, i don't know what I'm eating today, but with s child i tend to want to easy less anyway so hopefully I'll be able to wing it! Have a good day everyone

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rachelblythe · 21/09/2012 08:03

Faddy day = eating day
But with s child = but with a cold
Bloody Swype predictive text, lol :)

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phlebas · 21/09/2012 08:19

Hi everyone! I've had an incredibly busy couple of weeks & haven't been great ... have only had 3 fast days since last weigh in (3rd I was 89.7kg I think) & been away & dinners out etc. I was 88.5kg this morning & motivated to get back on the wagon! (I was 101kg when I started at end ofJuly)

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hoops997 · 21/09/2012 08:38

hello everyone,

eating day here as well, good job too cause tis Graze box day woo hoo! Fasted yesterday and stuck to under 300 cals, was hard and very nearly ended up eating the furniture but resisted.

Waiting until 11 so that'll be my 16 hours, actually not hungry yet but I'm sure I'll enjoy my dorset porridge with apple and sultanas Grin

Jumped on the scales and already 4lb down in the first week so the water retention is going, also going to go swimming later and maybe a long walk down the beach.

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RevealYourselfTinySongstress · 21/09/2012 08:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

frenchfancy · 21/09/2012 08:53

Wow Phlebas you are doing really well. 12.5Kg is an amazing loss. Keep it up girl.

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frenchfancy · 21/09/2012 09:04

And just a reminder to everyone that there is a recipe thread for your fast day recipes. Please add your ideas.

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Julesfpe · 21/09/2012 09:05

Hi, I've been doing the 5:2 diet for 6 weeks now and finding it very doable.

Lost 4lbs the first week and then haven't weighed myself until today. Disappointed that I've only lost another 3lbs - 7lbs in total. Michael Mosley lost over a stone in his first 6 weeks. On the other hand I have been eating what I want 5 days of the week, so I suppose as long as I keep loosing weight then I should be pleased.

How is everyone else doing with their weight loss?

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TellMeLater · 21/09/2012 09:09

Men lose weight more easily than woman so it's best not to use Micheal Mosley's weight loss as a guide to what's normal for women. It's very frustrating and dhs can be very smug about losing quicker.

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phlebas · 21/09/2012 09:12

It feels great - back pain (which was incapacitating) has completely gone :) My BMI has come down to 35 from 40 & I'm heading towards pre-pregnancy weight (82kg) - well with dc4 anyway ... quite a way to get to pre dc1 weight (56kg)!

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Aftereightsaremine · 21/09/2012 09:13

Thanks so much greeneggs.

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2012fan · 21/09/2012 09:43

Thanks greeneggs. Feed day today after 2nd fast of week yesterday. Not weighing after the disappointment of Tuesday (up 1lb) but have had my first 'you've lost weight' comment so well chuffed.

FWIW having done 5:2 for a month now my pattern for the week goes - 2 days fast (around 400 cals as I'm only titchy and bone idle so have a low BMR), the 2 days between I have been eating 1000 -1200 cals, and the 3 days at weekend I've had between 1500 and 2000 cals a day (largely in Wine Wink. I'm sure this is going to work...just need to lose another stone then I know I'll be able to maintain for ever, just by intermittent fasting!! Wink

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Lotsofcake · 21/09/2012 10:19

Hello all, I've been reading this thread, as many others have, with great interest and found it after googling 5:2 diet. I have only been following it for a week so far but I have to say the results have been impressive.

After two children I have gained about 4.5 stone and desperately want to loose some of that weight as I feel tired and frumpy. I love food and am a grazer. I have found 'diets' almost impossible as I am still able to graze. This constant grazing is how I have gained the weight. Always eating but never feeling full.


The first fast day was tough but I stuck at it and as many others I found I was less hungry after my first fast. I fasted again yesterday and I am feeling great. I have already managed to lose 5.5lbs since Monday. I know a lot of this will be water but clothes a less tight and my face is far less puffy. Some of this decreased hunger may be natural anyway as I have just stopped bf. Whoever said that bf helps with weightloss? Certainly didn't help mine as I was always super hungry. Anyway I am interested in this as a way of life for me as I don't want to end up with diabetes etc. So primarily I am using this as a weight loss tool in the first instance but then as a lifestyle choice.

Sorry for the long post but really wanted to share some of my success and to thank everyone for their fascinating stories. Ps I am a mumsnet poster newbie!

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