Thoughts on the 5:2 Fast diet

goodtimezzzz

Never ever defend your self for what u post on here:) say what u have to say and move on! there is NO one else on here but your consciousness....

goodtimezzzz

Think ndj is a serial blogger at 2500 posts. Too much posting & not enough reading? :laugh: If one reads or watches the documentary and then goes & reads the 200+ source science papers and research group publications it is clear that the restricted calorie program has real benefits on cardiovascular disease, cancer, and cognitive abilities (read dementia). On lab mice. Early days on the science but pretty encouraging. And a side effect was weight loss & higher compliance. I.e. people stayed on the program longer than conventional diet every day.
So perhaps it is better to be informed than prejudiced.

^^^ Totally agree.

So while trying to stay neutral...... Wow having read all the angst above I think some people have totally misunderstood why intermittent fasting reached headlines and became popular. Losing weight is a happy side-effect. Studies so far show that it's has a whole range of postitives on the body from blood pressure, to diabetes to chemotherapy.

Each person is individual so while I understand why it won't be for everyone, it may just help some people find the right balance.

I know people who have had a very positive experience with 5:2, I also know some people who it didn't work for. I knew a guy at school who lost weight by eating only burgers and ketchup (not even a salad or roll). So as with everything use your judgement

Wow the both of you obviously cannot read. I said that I did IF/Lean Gains for 8 months and LIKED it...I think you have me confused with someone else....please find where I said that there was a negative associated with IF/Lean Gains??? Note to rookies - read what others post before you try and bash someone...

goodtimezzzz

lean gains and Martins work is incredible..it needs tweaking but it is soooo ez to do and leans or Bulks you as needed:)

goodtimezzzz

my guess

she looks beautiful, slim and healthy and in her fifties :-)

Well I know she'd blush at that. That's my dear old Mum. The photo was taken a few weeks ago and in a couple of months time she turns 70. She's had no cosmetic work and doesn't dye her hair (she's just starting to get a few greys). Her GP says that, biologically speaking, he'd think she was in her 40s by her medicals. She's never had to watch her weight and certainly never counted a calorie in her life.

Ever since I can remember (like 35-40 years) my Mum has fasted one day a week because she's always, completely unscientifically, felt that it 'offset' the rest of the week and 'kept her body on its toes'. Her diet is mostly heaps of veg, fish, nuts, cheese and avocados but she does like her red wine and 80% dark chocolate.

When I was a kid I thought she was a nutjob and that I ate 'normally'.....and, of course, I'm the one who's had a weight problem all my life from my 'normal eating'. As I've got older I've noticed something about people like her who we usually refer to as 'naturally slim' - they often eat in a boom/bust pattern. Every time we bemoan that skinny person who seems to eat like a horse; what we're generally doing is remembering the day they spent face down in chocolate cake and forgetting the days they ate like a bird. In fact when you start looking at it, the only people who eat the same amount day in and day out are people who are calorie counting.

goodtimezzzz

very inspirational and your Mom is beautiful!!!

horses7777

bump for later

lilemx

Hi,

I am starting my first fast day tomorrow, a little nervous to say the least but i have heard nothing but good reports on it and have a few friends on it and all are losing weight, i just hope i will be the same!! I have crept up to 12st and want to ideally be 11st by october, preferably 10 1/2 st, we shall see!! I exercise 3 times a week and i am hoping this 5:2 diet will kick start my weight loss x

harribeau2012

interesting, just been looking at some articles and might just give this a whirl x

suziorr1981

Hiya, I started 5:2 on the 18th of January and have lost 42 pounds so far. I've had the last 3 weeks of 6:1 to maintain rather than lose weight as I was busy and unable to fit the 2 fasts in these weeks but am back on track now. I usually fast on a Sunday, Monday and sometimes a Wednesday so if you'd like ideas of what to eat I have my diary open.

I consider this a very manageable lifestyle for me as you can have anything you like within moderation rather than being on a controlled diet where your told to avoid bread, chocolate, take aways etc. With this way of eating you learn to recognise when you are full, the difference between hunger and thirst, you can exercise on fast days if you want to but I personally find it's better to exercise in the morning on those days. I also never did any exercise until 2 months ago when I started walking. Now I am far more active, feel healthier, fitter and much more able to recognise the demands of my body.

All the best with which ever plan you chose to follow

erinroro

Hmmm. Sounds like it might be something to try. Where is the best place to get more info about it?

chatogal

Erin....there is a book by dr Michael Moseley and Mimi Spencer called "The Fast Diet" also numerous websites etc...good luck :-)

paulbear75

Wow , thanks so much for the feedback everyone.

GinJon

bump - need to read later

Athena53

Every time we bemoan that skinny person who seems to eat like a horse; what we're generally doing is remembering the day they spent face down in chocolate cake and forgetting the days they ate like a bird. In fact when you start looking at it, the only people who eat the same amount day in and day out are people who are calorie counting.

First of all, your mother looks wonderful!

Second- her eating habits may be different from mine, but I've found that fasting teaches you to ignore minor hunger pangs instead of immediately hunting for something to eat, and gets you accustomed to eating less, so a little goes a long way and you're less likely to spend a day "face down in chocolate cake". Yesterday I enjoyed a Russell Stover S'Mores bar, which is my latest not-good-for-you indulgence and it was almost too much sweetness. Almost. A second one would have been way more than I wanted, and the 230 calories in the first one sure didn't throw my daily caloric intake off-track. So, even on my non-fast days, I'm not overeating.

MaryinBflo

I do 18:6 during the week and try to do 20:4 on the weekends. I tend to be a night time eater so it works for me because I can eat in the evenings and I don't do the whole day fasts because no one in my family would want to be around me but I know some people like it. I still count my calories so I'm not "binging" or over eating just eating my calories in a smaller window.

EasilyLed

Think ndj is a serial blogger at 2500 posts. Too much posting & not enough reading? :laugh: If one reads or watches the documentary and then goes & reads the 200+ source science papers and research group publications it is clear that the restricted calorie program has real benefits on cardiovascular disease, cancer, and cognitive abilities (read dementia). On lab mice. Early days on the science but pretty encouraging. And a side effect was weight loss & higher compliance. I.e. people stayed on the program longer than conventional diet every day.
So perhaps it is better to be informed than prejudiced.

^^^ Totally agree.

So while trying to stay neutral...... Wow having read all the angst above I think some people have totally misunderstood why intermittent fasting reached headlines and became popular. Losing weight is a happy side-effect. Studies so far show that it's has a whole range of postitives on the body from blood pressure, to diabetes to chemotherapy.

Each person is individual so while I understand why it won't be for everyone, it may just help some people find the right balance.

I know people who have had a very positive experience with 5:2, I also know some people who it didn't work for. I knew a guy at school who lost weight by eating only burgers and ketchup (not even a salad or roll). So as with everything use your judgement

Wow the both of you obviously cannot read. I said that I did IF/Lean Gains for 8 months and LIKED it...I think you have me confused with someone else....please find where I said that there was a negative associated with IF/Lean Gains??? Note to rookies - read what others post before you try and bash someone...

It's nice you immediately start slamming my education and intelligence. Assuming you read my post I mentioned nothing about you, in fact was totally agreeing with reading up about something before you jump in feet first. I’m sorry if I wasn’t clear and offended you, but personally attacking the literacy of ‘Rookies’ hardly reinforces your point.

redladywitch

I think it's interesting. The only way I can go down to 500 calories is if I'm completely stressed out.

beattie1

I think it's interesting. The only way I can go down to 500 calories is if I'm completely stressed out.

I find it takes planning, so that you get enough to fill your stomach. That makes it easier not to snack or eat what you didn't mean to!

I can't fast on days when I go supermarket shopping - I'm hungry when putting the stuff away and eat some of it.
I need to have low calorie meals organised & ready to eat or cook quickly, or else I find things I didn't mean to eat and scoff them while I'm cooking.
Leafy or watery veg are good low calorie fillers - shredded cabbage, lettuce, cucumber.
I avoid carbs on fast days.

beattie1

double post

beattie1

derr

hollygparr

I do it. I plan fast day meals etc in advance and it's really easy.

I love the health benefits, alertness, better sleep, brighter skin etc. Weight loss is a huge plus but I'm also combining 5:2 with healthy eating and exercise - I don't see it as an excuse to binge etc. I've found 5:2 has opened my eyes to portion control and healthier choices. I haven't touched takeaway since beginning it, not saying I never will, but the idea of eating 1k calories per meal now turns me off when I know I can make a similar meal at home for half the calories!

Athena53

I've found 5:2 has opened my eyes to portion control and healthier choices. I haven't touched takeaway since beginning it, not saying I never will, but the idea of eating 1k calories per meal now turns me off when I know I can make a similar meal at home for half the calories!

Yeah, that's what happened to me. I'm now eating better (less, and healthier) the other 5 days of the week. Typically I have a salad at lunch now. Yesterday our Admin sent a link to the local sandwich place where she'll order lunch for a group meeting and asked what we wanted. I looked at the nutritional info and the sandwiches were all about 1,000 calories- less if you skip the cheese and mayo. It will be a non-fast day but I'm getting a 350-calorie (excluding dressing) salad with dressing on the side.

lrobson555

bump

latkins91

I am on my first day of 5:2 diet, although I don't call it the fasting diet because I am eating throughout the day- to fast you need to do a period of time where you dont eat. Lots have people have told me how difficult the first day was, but to be honest, I have found it quite easy (although I did have the luxury of plenty of successful friend/family who have done this and given me advice).

If you are going to go forward with this I would suggest be prepared for your fast day. My day started with strawberries and fat free yoghurt, I have had cucumber and red pepper sticks with a low fat dip for lunch, I have some cheese crackers (3x ritz) for mid afternoon snack, I have a small banana for later this afternoon when I get home, I am cooking a big fat stirfry later with half a chicken breast and loads of veg. I prepared everything yesterday and worked out the calories, the last thing I fancied doing is standing in a kitchen full of temptation for a lengthy period of time prepping food on my 500cal day!

My last bit of advice - drink loads of water! I have found that has helped ease the hunger pangs for today and I actually feel really good. Not sure how I will feel later, but right now I feel good and think I can stick this out!

Good Luck,

Laura x

Too_Unfit_To_Quit

Hey just wanted to update! So I have now been on the 5:2 for about three months. SUPER manageable! I usually give up after a month or so but I find since starting this I don't WANT the foods I used to crave so badly! Also, I have now dropped a total of 30lbs in 3 months! I'm already have way to my goal! So exciting and an incredible lifestyle change for the better! I hate diets, I have never been a dieter person because I feel that people should be able to live and eat (in moderation). Food shouldn't be looked at painstakingly! This diet in conjuction with MFP on my non-fast days has been just what I needed! Anyone thinking about trying this I really encourage you to give it a go!

FluroFaye

I did the alternate day diet this week and lost 9.4lbs. I already feel great and am hoping for another good loss this week.

amyhunty1

Hey just wanted to update! So I have now been on the 5:2 for about three months. SUPER manageable! I usually give up after a month or so but I find since starting this I don't WANT the foods I used to crave so badly! Also, I have now dropped a total of 30lbs in 3 months! I'm already have way to my goal! So exciting and an incredible lifestyle change for the better! I hate diets, I have never been a dieter person because I feel that people should be able to live and eat (in moderation). Food shouldn't be looked at painstakingly! This diet in conjuction with MFP on my non-fast days has been just what I needed! Anyone thinking about trying this I really encourage you to give it a go!

Thank you that is just what I needed to see to encourage me. I have recently had a baby and nothing is shifting this weight. I am currently on 1200 cal on MFP but want to do the 5:2 and then 2000 every other day. I am reading Dr Moselys book and this is what it suggests, fingers crossed this helps. Need something that I can stick to. Thank you!

naterciarodrigues58

I have to be honest - this is not for me. I find myself craving and binging after fasting

lts42uk

.

RebekahR84

To each, their own is pretty much what one can derive from this thread.