The 5:2 Fast Diet

BetinaBee
BetinaBee Posts: 63
in Introduce Yourself
Anyone on this? This is my first week . today is my fast day and I've only had 475 calories today. I feel OK.

I'm not even tempted to have that weight watchers sultana slice, but maybe I'll have it as a snack before bed, maybe.

I started on Friday and I was so hungry in bed, but today at work someone advised me to have a cup of tea close to bed time and so far no hunger pains, yet.

This diet is really taking off at my work because the results are showing, so others start doing it too....like me.

Oh, I forgot to talk about myself

I'm from Sydney. And .....umm

Replies

  • Qskim
    Qskim Posts: 1,145 Member
    Anyone on this? This is my first week . today is my fast day and I've only had 475 calories today. I feel OK.

    I'm not even tempted to have that weight watchers sultana slice, but maybe I'll have it as a snack before bed, maybe.

    I started on Friday and I was so hungry in bed, but today at work someone advised me to have a cup of tea close to bed time and so far no hunger pains, yet.

    This diet is really taking off at my work because the results are showing, so others start doing it too....like me.

    Oh, I forgot to talk about myself

    I'm from Sydney. And .....umm


    G'day! :) here's the group...friendly bunch...http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/8005-5-2-fasting
  • beattie1
    beattie1 Posts: 1,012 Member
    Yup, doing this.Today I got up and had breakfast as normal (usually I skip it on fast days), but reckon I can still get in under 600 anyhow. Or "tomorrow is another day" - may defer til tomorrow.

    You could search "5:2" on here. There are lots of threads.
  • RonKay
    RonKay Posts: 85 Member
    I'm also doing the 5:2 fast diet, feel free to add! :-)
  • nicoleisme
    nicoleisme Posts: 95 Member
    It doesn't sound healthy to me, wouldn't that mess with your metabolism?
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    I do it but I do 4:3. I fast every 3rd day & I always do 0 calories on my fasting days. Easy for me, I don't get hungry for at least 40 hours & do not lack energy at all.
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    It doesn't sound healthy to me, wouldn't that mess with your metabolism?

    Why would it? It's extremely healthy & is no different to having a deficit anyway, just you are doing that on a few days & not having to worry so much on normal days.
  • fitin3m
    fitin3m Posts: 44 Member
    This is my first week with 5:2 diet and currently I plan to settle for 400 calories for today. Hoping the day will end as per my diary plan. Fingers crossed.
  • MissBellatrix
    MissBellatrix Posts: 41
    I am very curious with this one, I have tried the three day diet or the Military Diet, but it didn't help me to lose a pound. Anyone here who had tried this 5:2 fasting and it worked successfully?
  • nicoleisme
    nicoleisme Posts: 95 Member
    It doesn't sound healthy to me, wouldn't that mess with your metabolism?

    Why would it? It's extremely healthy & is no different to having a deficit anyway, just you are doing that on a few days & not having to worry so much on normal days.
    Well I've read things like this by professionals talking about it: "Restricting your calories dramatically will have a negative affect on the body’s metabolic rate, in turn putting the body into a catabolic state,’ he says. ‘This means when your body does not have enough nutrients going in (predominately protein), it responds by going to other sources, such as muscle and tissue, to use as fuel. So you could end up losing muscle in the long run.’"

    I'm not saying it is or isn't healthy, it just doesn't sound healthy to me personally.
  • ractrev
    ractrev Posts: 426
    I have been on it for 11 weeks, it works well for me! The 5:2 group is awesome here! Good Luck and feel free to add me.
  • astralpictures
    astralpictures Posts: 218 Member
    It doesn't sound healthy to me, wouldn't that mess with your metabolism?

    Why would it? It's extremely healthy & is no different to having a deficit anyway, just you are doing that on a few days & not having to worry so much on normal days.
    Well I've read things like this by professionals talking about it: "Restricting your calories dramatically will have a negative affect on the body’s metabolic rate, in turn putting the body into a catabolic state,’ he says. ‘This means when your body does not have enough nutrients going in (predominately protein), it responds by going to other sources, such as muscle and tissue, to use as fuel. So you could end up losing muscle in the long run.’"

    I'm not saying it is or isn't healthy, it just doesn't sound healthy to me personally.

    You don't restrict your calories dramatically if you do it correctly. You eat at maintenance the five days out of the week, and restrict a lot on the 2 fasting days. If you do the math, it would be the same as eating at around a 500 calorie deficit every day of the week.

    I don't do it personally, but can understand why people might be attracted to it because it could be easier to get your 3500 weekly deficit out of the way in two days. You just have to be extra careful not to overeat on the regular days, or else the deficit is easily erased. I tried it before and it wasn't bad at all, but I prefer to do a daily deficit because it's easier to keep a routine that way for me.
  • lynnerack
    lynnerack Posts: 158 Member
    I'm 63 and have been on and off diets for over 30 years. 5:2 is the only diet that I've stuck to as it is so easy to do. Two pounds away from my goal and then I will maintain by switching to 6:1. There are health benefits too - Google Michael Mosley - The Fast Diet for more information and look at the 5:2 groups on here for advice and support. And my weight now is the lightest I've been in 30 years!!
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    It doesn't sound healthy to me, wouldn't that mess with your metabolism?

    Why would it? It's extremely healthy & is no different to having a deficit anyway, just you are doing that on a few days & not having to worry so much on normal days.
    Well I've read things like this by professionals talking about it: "Restricting your calories dramatically will have a negative affect on the body’s metabolic rate, in turn putting the body into a catabolic state,’ he says. ‘This means when your body does not have enough nutrients going in (predominately protein), it responds by going to other sources, such as muscle and tissue, to use as fuel. So you could end up losing muscle in the long run.’"

    I'm not saying it is or isn't healthy, it just doesn't sound healthy to me personally.

    You don't restrict your calories dramatically if you do it correctly. You eat at maintenance the five days out of the week, and restrict a lot on the 2 fasting days. If you do the math, it would be the same as eating at around a 500 calorie deficit every day of the week.

    I don't do it personally, but can understand why people might be attracted to it because it could be easier to get your 3500 weekly deficit out of the way in two days. You just have to be extra careful not to overeat on the regular days, or else the deficit is easily erased. I tried it before and it wasn't bad at all, but I prefer to do a daily deficit because it's easier to keep a routine that way for me.

    Actually the 500 for women & the 600 for men was only later put in for those who feel they can't totally go without food for the 36 hours ( a real fasting time not just 24hrs).

    I personally eat nothing for 40 hours every 3rd day & I'm sure I am still alive & going quite well.
  • buckleten
    buckleten Posts: 205 Member
    I do 5:2 and it works very well for me - I don't get too hungry on the fast days (I tend to use my 500 cals just for the one evening meal rather than split it), and I do feel as though I have more energy than I used to! Any 5:2 ers please feel free to add me :-)
  • Helenca76
    Helenca76 Posts: 125 Member
    Been doing 5:2 since June, it has been the only diet that has worked for me in 6 years!
    I don't feel hungry on my fasting days, and I calorie control what I eat the other 5 days as well as exercise 4 days a week.

    Feel free to add me. :-)
  • scrottan
    scrottan Posts: 1 Member
    Hi all,

    My first post, but I saw all the questions in this thread and thought that I would describe the hype on 5:2 here in Sweden. It all started 6 month ago when the documentary "Eat, Fast & Live Longer" by Mikael Mosley journalist/MD and produced by BBC was aired on state television on prime time. For some reason it seemed to really appeal to people here in Sweden, because now this is the way to go if you are going to diet, LCHF is out :) (But I find LCHF eating practical on fast day to avoid going around hungry)

    Anyhow, to summarize the documentary, it states that you will lose weight and live longer based on tests done on mice and tracking blood pressure and cholesterol on human doing intermittent fasting, and specifically he looked into the 5:2 diet. The losing weight part was basically the old straight forward explanation that it’s all about input/output. But then the living longer was discussed and some theory’s on cells going into regeneration state when fasting was put forward (to me these theories felt more speculative than losing weight part).
    So I really recommend the documentary so you could judge by yourself if this is something for you (google it, I think it is available on youtube, vimeo etc)
    Regarding the statement in this discussion thread that the body goes into starvation mode are not supported by any research I found. Some research even states that the metabolism is increased on intermittent fasting. First after 60 hours or more, some research shows -8% in resting metabolism. This blog describes it a bit (4. Myth: Fasting tricks the body into "starvation mode". http://www.leangains.com/2010/10/top-ten-fasting-myths-debunked.html)

    My personally experience:
    I’ve been on the 5:2 diet for 6-7 weeks, gone from ~87kg to ~81kg during these weeks. Now, I’m looking into trying 6:1 instead to hold my current weight. Some days I get really hungry, but if I try to eat more proteins on the fasting days I can avoid the hunger. The biggest problem I have had is that I lost 2 days that I could do workouts on, so I only have 5 days to choose from.

    Hope my post gave some more info
  • M00nbeam55
    M00nbeam55 Posts: 62 Member
    Hi All

    I have decided to give the 5 : 2 diet a go. And have managed to do my 2 days fasting this week - mon and thurs. Surprised myself by not feeling hungry on those days, and still managed to do exercise class etc... so , so far so good.
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    Hi All

    I have decided to give the 5 : 2 diet a go. And have managed to do my 2 days fasting this week - mon and thurs. Surprised myself by not feeling hungry on those days, and still managed to do exercise class etc... so , so far so good.

    :drinker: :flowerforyou:
  • mockchoc
    mockchoc Posts: 6,573 Member
    No thanks. I like food too much to starve myself.
  • reggiecornwall
    reggiecornwall Posts: 11
    Hi. I have been using this strategy since March 2013 and reduced my body weight by 16kgs, which is 35lbs or 2.5stone in old money.
    I am happy to be added to your group.
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    Why am I guessing a great many, I'd bet other people's money a majority slightly, still use MFP's goals for weight loss and so what is supposed to be a TDEE day is actually with 500 - 1000 cal deficit, and then don't eat back exercise calories to truly reach TDEE on those days.

    Only saying that from previous comments made by many starting it without fully researching it, or understanding either it or what MFP is doing. I don't think I caught that in this thread though, so that's good.

    Just understanding how you are setting up MFP. Activity level needs to be honest, and weight loss goal should be set to maintain.
    Then add exercise and eat those calories back.

    Or as the study did, just eat until full on the TDEE days as you normally would. Not stuffed, not out of boredom, ect.

    22% deficit for the week doing it the right way is great, and your hormones are mainly in balance, 2 days with reduced calories hardly messing that up.
  • flumi_f
    flumi_f Posts: 1,888 Member
    Been at it since May. If you eat the 'right' things on fast days, they are quite easy. (For me: lunch and dinner, protein and veggies, almost no carbs)

    If you are looking for 5:2 help - join the two 5:2 groups on here. Great people there, great supporting friends, lots of info too.

    Here are two links that may help you find your way into it better.

    http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xvdbtt_eat-fast-live-longer-hd_shortfilms#.UOOjXKz47XS

    http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=W9Aj6hRYg4A&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DW9Aj6hRYg4A

    Remember - it is a way of life, not a diet. Aside from the weightloss, there are quite a few great health benefits as part of the package.
  • wingchungym
    wingchungym Posts: 30
    No thanks. I like food too much to starve myself.

    :laugh: Thats a tad ironic on a calorie counting forum.
  • mockchoc
    mockchoc Posts: 6,573 Member
    We can all do what we like.. some thing are just dumb if you eat nothing for 40 hours. Sounds like an eating disorder to me.
  • TwelveSticks
    TwelveSticks Posts: 288 Member
    I've been on 5:2 since January 28th and have lost 70 lbs. I've never been healthier (I no longer need cholesterol medication) or fitter (I ran my first 10k this week), and I've never eaten as well (without putting on weight).

    Ill-informed people who believe this is some sort of starvation diet or an eating disorder should shut up until they know what they're talking about.

    As for losing muscle mass - yep, that'll happen, but it'll happen on any calorie restricted diet.

    My lean body mass has gone down by 6 lbs since mid-March, but in that time I have also shed 43 lbs in fat. Now that I'm nearing the end of my weight-loss journey, I am starting to work on building my muscles back up again. Personally, I think it is much easier to deal with it this way.

    I have lost count of the number of people on MFP who are so scared of "losing muscle" that they don't actually lose weight. So - a less muscular, lean person or a more muscular fat one? I know which I'd rather be.
  • TeresaB1979
    TeresaB1979 Posts: 158 Member
    I'm going to paste the reply I gave someone else who asked about 5:2 earlier below for you... And as for anyone avoiding this way of eating because they like food too much? :laugh: :laugh: I love food and lots of it! That's why I don't want to be constantly dieting. I don't know why people chime in about something they early don't understand. So anyway, here's what the reality of 5:2 is like (from someone who knows what they're talking about. :wink:

    "Love, love, love it. Two days of being strict about calories and most of the week being relaxed about food and enjoying treats, never having to be 'on a diet' again? All good as far as I am concerned. The 'worst' that ever happens me eating this way is I maintain my weight instead of losing at the end of the week and on those weeks I have eaten a hell of a lot on the non-fast days. I intend to change to 6:1 when I reach target (which I should easily manage by xmas), I will eat like this for the rest of my life because it's simple and enjoyable and I hate that grind of constant calorie counting and feeling like I have 'failed' if I have a day where I eat pizza and have drinks or some other indulgence. Been doing it since February and can't recommend it highly enough. *PS. I have hypothyroidism meaning I have a really low metabolism- I haven't been putting on any weight since doing 5:2. Yay!*

    People will tell you 'It's a fad!'. It's only a 'fad' if you let it be one, I chose to make it my way of eating and it truly works. Of course it does- you create your calorie deficit through a couple of days of very strict calorie restriction. Obviously if you eat ridiculous amounts on your non fast days it won't work but I find I would really have to go mad stuffing my face for that to happen (I am 5ft 6 and 34 years old- I eat between 1600- 2000 on feed days and once in a while I have lots of treats and hit near the 3000 mark). It might not appeal to everyone and that's fine but many, many people love it.

    Apart from weight-loss there seems to be a lot of other health benefits. Have a look at the documentary 'Eat, Fast and Live Longer' for more information. That's what inspired me to try it and I couldn't be happier. Good luck! :smile: "

    *Edited to add- I think some people think you need to fully fast for two days in a row? No! You restrict calories to 500 (women) or 600 (men) for two days per week. Those can be any two days- for me it's generally Monday and Wednesday but it really doesn't matter what days you choose. To compare this way of eating to an eating disorder or a 'starvation' diet is ridiculous (and completely wrong). But there will always be people who need to criticize, even things they clearly don't understand. :noway: *
  • mockchoc
    mockchoc Posts: 6,573 Member
    Whatever. Yes you know best. Go for it and I really hope it works for you. Never put you down for it.
  • judilockwood
    judilockwood Posts: 134 Member
    I did 5:2 diet towards the end of my diet - I hadn't heard of it before then- and its amazing, I would really advocate this weight loss method, quickly lost my last 14 lbs and didn't feel hungry once. Its just a matter of organising yourself for the fast days and sticking to it .I eat lots of raw veg those days so I don't feel empty. I'm now maintaining well on 6:1 and know that I have a means of controlling my weight if it starts to creep up after special occasions. The health benefits reported are good too.

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