Does anyone know if the 5:2 diet really works? Maybe I should try it????...... 😲

[Babylegion]

Hi everyone,

I was sent a text by a friend promoting the 5:2 diet, I read through the literature but must admit I'm extremely sceptical.

Has anyone else tried this diet or is currently on it?

Does it really work or a myth?

[OlsBean]

It works by creating an energy (calorie) deficit just like any calorie restricted diet the difference is that it does this over 2 days a week rather than doing it everyday. It works well for some people, because they find it easier to manage, I guess it all comes down to personal preference and what personally suits you.

[Babylegion in reply to OlsBean]

Thanks olsbean,

Im just trying to find out if it's worth giving it a go, just don't want to be disappointed.

Have you ever tried it? You've done wonderfully on your weight loss... 😀

Any tips for that last 14 -21ibs loss? x

[OlsBean in reply to Babylegion]

I've not done Intermittent Fasting, I do occasionally do a proper full 24 hour Fast for health.

With Intermittent Fasting you are not Fasting in the true sense because you eat on the Fast Days, it's more like a VLC (very low calorie diet) 2 days a week, like I say there is no black magic about it, it works like traditional diet in the sense that it creates an energy deficit but rather than a deficit everyday it does it more extremely 2 days a week, so basically at the end of the week you end up eating the same deficit that you would following a traditional calorie restricted diet, its success is that lots of people find this an easier way to diet, it gives them more flexibility.

Those last few pounds are always hard to move especially if you have had a long journey. I did a post on Insulin (not sure if you read it) which might offer a possible explanation to why it's harder often to shift them.

healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh...

[Babylegion in reply to OlsBean]

I hadn't seen that post before and it's great advice.

It's sometimes easy to overlook the medical reasons and give up when we don't understand.

I'm inspired to continue no matter what and now the changes I made to my diet is not a chore it's quiet enjoyable actually, I really didn't realise the junk I was putting in my body.....

I might try the 5-2 diet to see if it suits me but still keep my normal diet on the non fasting days...

Do you think that's a good idea? Health wise I can see the benefits

[OlsBean in reply to Babylegion]

The danger of that (restricting calories further) is that you might slow your metabolism and then find it much harder to maintain. You'll want to at some point bring some normality back to the amount you eat daily I am sure, and the greater that leap the more difficult it will be if that makes sense.

Having said all that at the end of the day it's trial and error all you can do is try it, if that's what you want to do and if it does not work then try something else.

[Babylegion in reply to OlsBean]

Thanks olsbean, I'll let you know how I get on as any things worth a try as I keep hitting a plateau??

Just a little sceptical as I had a ED over twenty years ago, my dr this morning gave me the thumbs up but to take it easy....

[gingernut49]

I lost the three stone I needed to in six months on the 5:2 Diet after watching Michael Mosley's excellent Horizon programme in 2012, "Eat, Fast and Live Longer" tinyurl.com/qzgo7tq or tinyurl.com/a8ppjl7 and went from a size 16 to a size 10 by eating 500 calories two non-consecutive days a week. I've been maintaining my weight loss since April 2013 by just fasting one day a week - in the past I piled the weight back on as soon as I finished 'dieting'. I'd very much recommend you read Kate Harrison's book, "The 5:2 Diet" (tinyurl.com/qe6mz4u) - it really does work, it's totally FREE and it will save you a fortune (towards your smaller clothes!).

I'd also recommend a free app for your phone called MyFitnessPal. Counting calories is very important so you can see how much you're eating and therefore eat mindfully rather than mindlessly. There are excellent videos in the Help section on the app that show you how it works - there's even a barcode reader to scan in branded foods.

It's important you don't eat more than your TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) on non-fasting days. You can work that out here thefastdiet.co.uk/how-many-.... If yours works out at more than 2000 then aim at 2000 on non-fasting days.

Here I am in the Daily Mail on 7th January tinyurl.com/m7rqecq. The other two ladies’ stories are inspiring!

Here Michael Mosley answers many questions on it dailymail.co.uk/health/arti...

This little video explains more youtu.be/W9Aj6hRYg4A(Not working as expected?)

[Frog4]

I have to say I tried it - but be it lack of willpower or whatever it was - I gained weight because I could not stick to the healthy eating for the rest of the week. I could not stop thinking about what I would eat on the next days, planned meals for the rest of the week, and then ate far more than I should have done. For me, a regular low-calorie diet works best, because it keeps me from craving things (I can have my treats every day) and helps me keep my eating under control without starving.

[Hidden]

I'm giving it a go as a last resort. I have tried everything to shift this weight and despite racking up gym hours and eating at what I thought would be a calorie deficit (between 1200 and 1500 a day) I lost not a single pound since January.

I did my first 'fast' day yesterday with my calories at 600. It was tough going in the evening when I normally have a small snack while I watch a bit of tv before bed but I resisted knowing I could have something the next day - have to say that is the aspect that made it easier for me.

This morning I had eggs on toast for breakfast which was utterly glorious. I won't have any difficulty sticking to my TDEE calories (or under) as I'm used to keeping a food diary already.

[Hairyman in reply to Hidden]

Dear Skittycat Check out [ are all calories equal ]

That they are not, when consumed by us, should be obvious.

Consider this coal dust has a calorific value but do you know any doctor who eats it?

Your eggs on toast is wonderful provided that you do not follow it with a lot of sugar. It is under investigation that sugar can cause the protein from the eggs to pass into the blood not fully processed setting up possible cancers?

[Hairyman]

Worked for me.

When I started the 12 week plan I kept my intake below 2000 for five days a week, on the other two Non-consecutive days below 900.

Not quite as strict as suggested but it worked for me till I read "is sugar toxic?"

and googled [ Sugar or fat which is worse ]

Then the lbs started to really fall off! Imagine the combination!