to recommend the 800 cals a day diet?

[Settle59]

I know a book has been written on this - the fast 800 - by Dr Michael Mosley. I haven't followed his recommendations in the book to the letter and his recommended recipes but I still stick to 800 cals daily - since April 14th this year I've started this diet and the results in 4 weeks have been amazing. When I started I was 5ft 1 and around 12 - 12 and a half stone - now I'm around 11st 4. I know I'm still overweight but feel so much fitter. I also run for at least 30 mins every day. My previously tight size 16 clothes feel looser. I had so much difficulty losing weight before- for the past 3 years I've not been able to diet and binge eaten a lot. However, now I've stuck to this for nearly 5 weeks I feel I'm on a roll and determined to keep it going. Has anyone else tried this diet and had similar success?

[Settle59]

BabbleBee - I totally agree with the first sentence of your first post - but to be honest - after 3 years of a cycle of binge eating and not being able to stick to any diet for any real length of time and hovering at about 13 and a half stone at my heaviest - I admit I wanted quick results even though I'd probably still lose at around 1200 cals/day - but it's the quick results that drive me!!

[Settle59]

MonsteraCheeseplant - I read somewhere that if someone for example weighs 7 and a half stone at 5 ft 1 - to maintain that you need to eat no more than about 1300 cals/day - but I get things vary according to muscle mass and activity levels etc

[Settle59]

Thanks PumpkinPie2016 - congrats on your weight loss - I've also in the past lost weight on a similar diet /exercise plan that you're describing - it's great when you notice the difference in your clothes!

[Settle59]

whensmynexthol1day - I'm exactly the same as you with regard to quick results - I also find that high protein foods such as ready packaged chicken/ready cooked prawns etc keep you fuller longer

[Elmerrrrrrrr]

I mean I've lost 3.5 stone and kept it off just by sticking to appropriate portion sizes and cutting out the snacks. Still eat carbs, full fat dairy, sugar.

I love eating and I love food and I feel I have finally fixed my shitty relationship with it after years of diets, including the one you refer to in your op.

[PotteringAlong]

You cannot be seriously recommending a diet when you eat mainly 800 calories of digestive biscuits a day and nothing else?!

[h3av3n]

Yabu, it's dangerous for many people.. a 500 calorie deficit will cause weight loss without needing to restrict calories so low.

[Settle59]

Alittleshortforaspacepooper - 3 weeks on the 800 diet is enough to see results though! Well done on your intermittent fasting diet - sounds like it's working! With the 800 - yes I find that going 'off script' - definitely gives you a bit more autonomy with regard to different foods

[mencken]

OP has an eating disorder - binge eating alternated with restricted eating is a mental health issue. Please get proper medical help, stop reading diet books.

[PrimalLass]

That’s absolutely crazy - you do not need to be in calorie deficit that much to lose weight! That’s not a diet, it’s a crash course in being unhealthy and you even admit that you’re not eating well.

Lots of evidence that fasting is incredibly good for you.

[h3av3n]

800 calories isn't fasting.. it's extreme calorie restriction....

[PrimalLass]

"Eating disorder" springs to mind. I don't think you should be recommending or encouraging this to others.

This is a mainstream and popular diet. Hardly niche given its author and popularity.

[Settle59]

whensmynexthol1day - thanks for the forum recommendation

cansu - yes I agree that 1000 is sensible - I'd definitely lose weight relatively quickly on this amount

[Settle59]

BabbleBee - definitely not binge eating - because since April 14th Ive never exceeded 1150 cals a day - one day I did go over the 800 - but 1150 is still a 'dieting level' of calorie intake iyswim.
In an ideal world I would not eat digestive biscuits - but I'm on a money saving drive. However, the 800 cal aspect I have found effective.

[PrimalLass]

I’m hypothyroid and very low calorie diets are not recommended if you have this condition. The thyroid needs a moderate regular calorie intake to support its function. Someone I know with the condition went down to 900 calories a day and still didn’t lose weight.

I'm hypo too and low carb fasting works brilliantly for me where not much else does. I am rubbish at sticking to it but wish I could as it makes me feel great.

[Settle59]

NaturalBornWoman - that's excellent news about your husband's diabetes!
I will try some of the recipes at some point

[PrimalLass]

800 calories isn't fasting.. it's extreme calorie restriction....

Well it's called fasting by the dr who wrote the book...

[Settle59]

Wilmalovescake - I feel my appetite has also decreased since sticking to this. Good luck and stick with it!

[PrimalLass]

The responses here are quite funny really.

[h3av3n]

You haven't exceeded your very low calorie limit since April...That isn't long enough to know that it wont lead to binging... I don't see why you need your calories to be this low when a 500 calorie deficit will cause weight loss at a good rate.

[whirlwind12]

I did this and lost absolutely loads of weight, on reflection I looked ill and developed a bit it a probably with food. Having overcome that I've put on weight as it's not sustainable

[IdblowJonSnow]

Could anyone give an example of what they eat on their fast days please? At 800 - 1000 calls?
I could maybe manage 5:2 but no more than that. I love food and also get headaches easily when I mess around with food.

[LaurieFairyCake]

800

I can JUST manage on 1600

Well done you

[Settle59]

NerforMuffin - Well done on your weight loss - sounds like it's been really beneficial to your health. I've never personally done a meal replacement diet but I've been tempted to - I think they're convenient because everything's already counted out for you

[PrimalLass]

Could anyone give an example of what they eat on their fast days please? At 800 - 1000 calls?

There's a whole MN board on this. Here's the current thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/fasting_diet/3905496-blood-sugar-diet-and-fast800-thread-19