Started Fast 800 today

[DareDevil223]

I've got lots to lose, I'm feeling lousy, so heavy, achy and sluggish and I can't bear to see myself in the mirror so I'm making a dramatic change. Losing a pound a week is not going to cut it.

I eat far too many carbs so I think this Mediterranean style of eating and the the drastic cut in calories will do me good. I've read the book, I've stocked up on the right foods and cleared out the crap. I haven't eaten yet but I'll have my first meal soon.

I know that it will be hard going at times but the promise of rapid weight loss is worth a bit of pain.

Wish me luck. I'll update on my progress as I go.

Wow! I just measured myself, I've lost over a stone which is great but I am very big so it's not really noticeable yet except in the fit of my jeans - so glad I decided to do a set of measurements when I started. Well it was a few days after starting because I couldn't find the tape measure 😂😂😂 anyway after two weeks I have lost 3.5" from my waist! And an inch from my thighs!!! Feeling very motivated now 😍

That's awesome DownRight Way to go!

You inspired me to measure on my with in this morning. So I'm down another 2lbs - that's 10 so far this week (and 20lbs since my heaviest) AND just measured and I'm down 7.75 inches total (from belly, waist, bust, chest, thigh & bicep. I'm stunned. I could honestly cry. I have tried so many things to shift the weight from my meds and nothing's worked till now. And I'm not even hungry!

waves pompoms way to go you guys!
@Phoenix, I too am losing weight gained from meds. Well in part it's meds, I was also eating absolutely appallingly 24/7. I'm on insomnia meds, antidepressants, dmards, tramadol, and nsads. A fun combo! I've put on two stone over my heaviest pre meds weight. My GP is an absolute darling, a real human being and he's been really helpful giving me fibre, iron and multivitamin tablets on prescription (we're Welsh, we don't pay for prescriptions here) along with electrolyte solution and protein powder when I need them for 5:2 fast days. I feel really prepared now, maybe worth having a chat about something similar?

Off to London for a work meeting wearing a paisley print wrap dress which didn't fit me when I started this but now looks great. I have a long way to go but I look better, I sleep better, I have loads more energy and my cravings and binge urges have disappeared.

I'm so happy that I took this radical step.

Have a good day all

@daredevil ohhhh that is absolutely fab! You know funnily enough I went into the office this morning to pick up my diary for the next week wearing a pair of ankle grazers I haven't worn because they looked like my butt was having a feast. They were the only thing that didn't need ironing and I was rushing before the traffic. Anyway I was told by my very opinionated, very honest, very trendy secretary that I looked 'modern and chic.' Now considering he keeps a selection of scarves in his desk so that can 'save me from myself' before I go into meetings and have soup/coffee/wine down my front or according to him I got dressed in the dark again, I don't know who was more shocked me or him. I'm pretty sure he was on the phone to his husband (who happens to be DPs oldest friend. Nepotism alive and well I'm afraid) when I left telling him lol. he has ever given me which didn't

Pressed post before editing, ignore that last drivel lol

@Ghostbusters I love it! You know the whole thing sounds like a snappy New York based sitcom right?

Yes or some fabulous chick lit novel. You must surely work in the head office of a fashion magazine, or maybe in advertising??? Tres glamorous.

@dare and @bear lllooooooolllll no afraid nothing glamourous at all! I work on a quality inspectorate board for a manufacturing company. Lots of looking at greasy bits of metal and plastic. Lots of meetings about said greasy bits and trying to avoid falling asleep through another PowerPoint on the latest grade of silicone based rotary oil.

@Ghost it's really inspiring to hear about someone else on meds having success. I'm on bupropion and quetiapine but the quetiapine is the kicker. And loving your secretary!

@daredevil I've bookmarked some dresses as a treat when I hit my goal weight. Can't wait to feel swishy again!

@Phoenix, be heartened. I too am on 200mg Quietiapen (sp) for insomnia. I'm managing to lose well x

Oh @Ghost that's such a lovely post, thank you.

Down 1lb overnight, which feels disappointing but is still a loss! Also think I'm in the grips of the keto flu. Feel awful!

@phoenix lots and lots of water! You're welcome. I'm in week 5 now and so far I have lost drum roll 27lb. Had I not had a 2 week blip where I lost no weight because I was eating way too many carbs it would probably be a good 10lb more, but we learn and carry on carrying on.

Found this great article about eating in moderation for when we're 5:2/4:3ing www.niashanks.com/eating-in-moderation/ be warned there are pictures of yummy baked goods and fried foods!

Good luck for the weekend everyone.

Hopped on the scales this morning and another 2lbs has gone, 21lbs in 4 weeks, 5 days. It is hard sometimes but I think it's worth it.

@Ghostbusters you are doing so well, you absolute legend

Have a great day everyone xx

@dare wooooowwww! Go you!!!

I reckon I need some input here peeps. Having reread the chapter on the fast 800 it says that in the initial study participants stayed on 800 for 20 weeks. DP and I are not struggling with the eating at all and we would be open to carrying on with the 800 after we've done the 12 weeks ... I especially am keen as I have more than 100lb to still lose. If I can lose maybe, best case scenario 3lb a week on the 5:2 it's going to take forever! Well, It's going to take literally twice as long anyway.
Any thoughts?

I think the issue is that long term serious calorie reduction could mean that you're not getting enough nutrients, calcium, etc if you continue for 20+ weeks. Plus, you may find that you actually don't lose any more by doing 800 than by doing 1200 calories- the diet proves that it's not so simple as 'calories in/calories out'. I've been doing a version of the plan for 15 months, and currently finding doing alternate day fasting and alternate day 1200-1400 calories means that I can exercise sufficiently vigorously. A 5:2 approach, or even a 3:4 approach can give you a consistent 2-3lb a week loss and still allow for you to have a life as well. 2-3lb a week is 100-150 pounds a year which is a massive amount, but sustainable. Do you do any exercise? Would you be planning to add any in if not?

I exercise a bit, mainly walking. BUT I've just joined a gym with a personal trainer who is very reasonably priced. He's also used to dealing with people with rheumatoid arthritis.
Shudder I have had a really bad experience with an NHS PT in the past who thought rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis were the same and told me I could push through the pain and fatigue ... I was absolutely mortified when I was so out of control of my muscles I experienced double incontinence on the treadmill (which I dealt with by bursting into tears) I was so embarrassed and ashamed I kept going hoping no one would notice. It took me about 3 months to be able to do more than slow walking without a stick. Bastard.

Ohh wow, that came out of nowhere ... Bit of a rant soz!

Ghost the only reason I ask is that if you were planning to introduce or increase some exercise, at the moment you are able to fuel that using your 'reserves' but at some point you'll get to a stage where your body decides to hang onto some fuel and actually your weight loss can stall. I noticed it almost exactly as my weight went from an overweight to a normal bmi, it was as if something chemical/hormonal occurred and every time I did vigorous exercise my body would claw back every damn calorie. It's taken me several months to find my equilibrium and get the balance right. (Just offering that as another reason why 800 calories a day won't work forever). You will probably find that if you continue to lose at this dramatic rate (which is brilliant btw) you will both want to exercise more because you'll feel better, but also want to because it will maintain your weightloss and tone you up.

Oh and without a shadow of a doubt your personal trainer will tell you to eat more than 800 calories.

@ghost that sounds awful. I'm so sorry that happened to you!

I'm shattered today, maybe the keto flu but also may be an actual cold bug. How do you guys deal with the loud rumbly tummy - mine in class today was SO loud! Let's see how the weekend goes!

Reading with interest, hi everyone and congratulations to those who are sticking to the plan!

Please may I ask a few questions? I'm at a technically healthy weight, but am naturally slight and I have 10lb to lose to get back to my previous/normal weight (still healthy range bmi).

Is the book geared towards those with larger amounts to lose, or is there a mention of smaller amounts? Would it still be 800calories, or do I get fewer? Any comments about the time period?

I'd just love to get things back in order, as if were.

Any insights would be much appreciated!

Oh no Ghost MrsVole I believe the diet is for everyone. You may not need to lose weight dramatically though if you have less than a stone to lose?

I've done ok the last week but have only maintained from the previous week (had three days of face-filling last weekend) and I've also developed a nasty cold so all I want to do is eat carbs! Last night I raided the crisp cupboard

What's your comfort food at times like this?

@Catbot (omg that autocorrects to Fatboy so glad I caught that ) I would recommend my accidental marrowbone broth. (unless you're veggie/vegan) get some big beef bones split in two from the butcher, shove them in the slow cooker with carrots, celery, a couple of litres of boiling water, onions, S&P and cook on low for 24 hours. The rich, unctuous, slightly gelatinous broth you're left with is absolutely fantastic and feels like carbs even though it isn't. I let it cool and refrigerate, remove the dripping and keep it in a jar for cooking roast cabbage, and freeze the jelly in half a cup portions for days when I 'need' carbs. It has NEVER let me down!
Also try roasted cabbage, toss it in rapeseed oil, and roast on 180 c fan. Let it get really really crispy, a little black on the edges. Oooohhhhh it is sooooo scrummy!

@phoenix try getting some miso paste. Miso soup is full of ummami which tastes great and it satisfies your stomach because it's hot x

@MrsVole If you have less that a stone to lose Dr MM says something about doing 800 for 2 weeks, then 5:2, until your target, then portion control and Mediterranean diet for maintenance. X