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?

[dontgobaconmyheart]

Ask a nutritionist or your GP what they make of 800cals a day. Or get yourself a nutritionist, you may need one. It is not intended for long term use regardless so whether it's worked - you'll find out in 6 months.

Of course it works temporarily and at the start, it's a starvation diet. Do what you like in your own private life OP but YABU to 'recommend' it to others or say it 'worked' for you. So inconsiderate of those who may be vulnerable re: eating disorders. I'd ask for the thread removed and crack on privately. The author has made a fortune, he hardly needs the free PR.

[Shantotto]

You’re only supposed to do the 800 calories for two weeks!

[Settle59]

ILiveInSalemsLot
I agree that the composition of my food is pretty terrible - but I also want to put away a substantial proportion of my monthly income in savings so am opting for cheap food! Not ideal, I admit - but I'm on a sort of money saving challenge. I have had a few days where I've eaten chicken, nuts, fresh salads etc.
I had my first Greggs in ages yesterday - a Stake Bake!!!

[Linnet]

My dad was diagnosed as pre-diabetic a few years ago. My step mum and him decided to follow this diet and they both lost weight, a couple of stone each and now my dad is no longer pre-diabetic. His Dr was happy for him to try this diet and was very pleased with the results he got.

They do vary from it sometimes, if they are on holiday or eating out on a special occasion etc. But generally they eat very healthy and if their weight creeps up they reign it back in by being a little bit more strict.

[Settle59]

ScrapThatThen - well done that's amazing! - I 'd be delighted with 12kg off!!

[Settle59]

Zaphodsotherthread - that's the downside of dieting. I agree that it can become addictive after you first start to see results

[Settle59]

Well done Candyfloss99 - in two years I want to be able to say that same!

[GrumpyHoonMain]

What a lot of people don’t realise is that if you are that overweight you are probably eating well over 2,000 cals per day. You would probably have had the same weight loss by sticking to 2k per and adding a brisk 5 mile daily walk plus yoga to burn 200-500 cals.

[bridgetreilly]

Just to be crystal clear: there is NOTHING in the Fast800 or Blood Sugar Diet to suggest that you should be getting your 800 calories from Greggs Steak Bakes. OP can do what she wants, but PLEASE don't anyone confuse this with the actual, scientifically proven, non-disordered, Michael Mosley diets.

[Settle59]

BIWI - thanks for the link - I know my diet's not healthy - I suppose I'm making the most of lockdown to save as much money as poss - I wouldn't recommend doing what I'm doing in an ideal world - I won't be doing this when I'm at target
HopelesslydevotedtoGu - thank you - that's the thing - I really did want quick results - I've seemed unable for the past 3 years or so to drop below 12 stone and it had started affecting my mood quite profoundly - so I wanted to find something strict I could stick to and get quick results

[Settle59]

MsTSwift - that's brilliant - I would love to have a BMI of 21! Am currently just under 30 - for the first time in 3 years I've come down from obese to merely overweight!

[Namechanger0800]

But ready meals and digestive biscuits are a big no no on the fast 800 diet ... the whole point is you switch to Mediterranean style of eating which is full of healthy nutrition and as you go through the steps you incorporate larger portions or additions and even some fibre, eventually you can incorporate red wine and dark chocolate

You can have full fat dairy, nuts & seeds, avocado, olive oil etc

I'm doing it at the moment and have had smoked salmon, scrambled eggs and steamed spinach for brunch , plus a small cappuccino made with full fat milk-

If you read the book he advocates adding a dash of oil, some nuts or some full fat Greek yoghurt... it's processed carbs you should avoid entirely so digestive biscuits is laughable really

[NotMeNoNo]

I have done this diet but did regain afterwards. I was surprised how good the food plans are and still follow them but stress sent me to the biscuit tin.

It would be good to put in the OP

• it is very short term , a few weeks or 2 days a week semi-fast 5:2
• it is only for Mediterranean style diet ie protein, veg, pulses, full fat dairy, fruit and wholegrains in moderation. No white carb or sugar allowed. This is the basis of Dr Moseleys eating plan.

Not just 800 cals of any old junk.

[PrimalLass]

I'm doing it at the moment and have had smoked salmon, scrambled eggs and steamed spinach for brunch , plus a small cappuccino made with full fat milk-

Thank you. Have just taken smoked salmon out for lunch after reading your post!

[cansu]

LadyEloise
No breakfast just coffee with milk
lunch; green salad, tomatoes, flat bread, boiled egg and some chicken or ham usually
Dinner: fish with veg or salad and a bit of fresh tagliatelle or rice or scrambled egg and toast or similar
Treat: Magnum sugar free ice cream (heaven!)

[WhatwouldLangdo]

800 cals really isn't that hard, I done a month at less than 700 cals a day and recently upped it to 1000. I'm struggling to hit 1000 most days!
Well done on everyone's weight loss!

[NotMeNoNo]

The books make sense, but too many people put the weight back on, I dont think this issue is really covered enough.

[blueluce85]

"To be honest if you vary exercise routines etc it's very hard NOT to lose weight at 800 cals /day"

@Settle59 the problem here though will be with having the energy or motivation (or lack thereof) to do the exercise. With 800cals a day, things are sure to slow down and a diet high in biscuits, and low in calories is not going to give you the energy needed to have a productive workout.

Also, the reason these diets don't last long term is that the deficiencies that are caused by them make your body crave foods, then your willpower will succumb to the cake and chocolate and crisps and there goes all that hard work of starvation!

[Settle59]

Kickanxietyinthebeanbag

Congratulations on your initial weight loss - that's amazing!- I don't think you're destined to be fat with that amazing weight loss - as someone once said to me
"you've done it once, you'll do it again" - they were absolutely correct!!

Good luck!

[Settle59]

GoFiguire - I did a similar thing a few years ago - but now if I'm being honest with myself - at the time - 2012 in fact - I realise there were psychological reasons behind my weight gain and I feel I have to fully acknowledge this fact in order to successfully keep the weight off in future

[BemidjiMinnesota]

Wilmalovescake

Weirdly I find 800-1000 easier to stick to than 1200-1500. My appetite switches off under 1000 and my blood sugar levels feel much more stable

I'm the same. 1500 calories makes me feel starving but 800 is completely fine after a few days.

To anybody who's thinking of trying this READ THE BOOK!. Please don't do what the OP has done and cut down to 800 calories of sugary crap, that's the complete opposite of what Dr Michael Moseley intended with this diet. The fast 800 diet is limited time (8-12 weeks), cures insulin resistance and can reverse Type 2 Diabetes, but not if you're eating digestive biscuits.

OP you say you want to save money, but how much is your health worth? Surely you can invest £20 a week in some vegetables? You'll need your body for the rest of your live after all; there's no point completely messing up your pancreas and gall bladder for the sake of a few quid a week.

[Settle59]

GetawayfromthatWelshtart - I agree that I'm not following the diet to the letter.

[Settle59]

Elmerrrrrr

Well done - brilliant achievement - I love hearing stores where people have successfully kept the weight off

[Settle59]

PotteringAlong - there have been a few days when I've only eaten digestive biscuits but that's to do with me trying to save money - not something I want to make a habit out of - neither would I recommend it!

[Settle59]

h3av3n - I feel I could have set a higher daily calorie limit - but I admit I wanted quick results after 3 years of not being able to adhere to a diet!