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Fasting / 5:2 diet

Talk about intermittent fasting and 5:2, including what’s worked for others. Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. You may wish to speak to a medical professional before starting any diet.

Blood Sugar Diet and Fast800 thread 14

999 replies

thenewaveragebear1983 · 13/03/2019 19:48

Here’s the new thread for the BSD followers, plus those following the Fast800 plan. Everyone is welcome to join us. Here’s a quick recap!

The BSD/fast 800 is a low carb, Mediterranean style way of eating, with the primary aim of stabilising your insulin response when you eat. You achieve this by: eating fewer carbs, cutting out sugar and sweet tasting foods including most fruit, and by following a low calorie plan that reduces your visceral fat meaning that everything functions more effectively. Less insulin means less fat storage (in a nutshell, although more info can be found on this online). The blood sugar diet was designed to reduce T2 diabetes symptoms (or even reverse it entirely) but can also be used for weightloss.

Eat:
Meats and fish
Oils
Eggs
Full fat dairy products
Nuts, seeds
Pulses/ beans
Veg that grows above ground
Limit fruit: apples, pears, berries- in moderation, with meals, with fats

Occasional alcoholic drinks allowed (spirits, red wine are preferable to beer, lager, etc) although alcohol is calorie heavy and can influence your appetite
Tea and coffee, herbal tea etc.
And water- drink lots of water!

Avoid
sugar, sweets, and ‘naturally occurring sugars’ such as fructose, maltose, honey, agave, puréed dates etc....

Potatoes of any variety
Pasta
Rice
Breakfast cereals (occasional steel cut oats are ok)
Breads/ flour based products

Exercise:
Michael Moseley recommends HIIT workouts to increase calorie burn and help to tone up, and recommends walking more (increasing your steps weekly until you hit around 10000 a day)

Mindfulness
MM also suggests a programme of mindfulness, meditation, practised for a few minutes each day.

How to follow the plan:
Fast800: follow the plan above, sticking to 800 calories every day for 2 weeks. Ideal to give your weightloss a real kick start, plus improve your insulin function and reduce your sugar cravings.
8 weeks BSD- 8 weeks, follow the guidelines above- 800 calories a day. You don’t need to count carbs grams because the diet is naturally self limiting.
BSD 5:2- for a more leisurely weightloss journey, or as maintenance, or once you’ve done an 8 week stint or 2 weeks of Fast800, you can play around with a combination of increased calorie count, ‘free eating’ and fasting days (800 cals) until you achieve your goals. Many of our long standing members now follow this approach.

You can stop 800 calorie days at any time once you achieve your goal. It’s advised to limit yourself to 12 weeks maximum of 800 calorie days, but you should get excellent results in 8 weeks. Depending on your weightloss goals, you can do further ‘rounds’ of either the 8 week BSD or the Fast800. We recommend you take your measurements before you begin, not just your weight. A target pair of jeans in a smaller size or even a photography or two can be very motivating!

Some useful links:

previous thread

meal planning thread

<a class="break-all" href="http://go.mumsnet.com/?xs=1&id=470X1554755&url=healthyeater.com/important-tool-weight-loss" target="_blank">TDEE calculator to calculate your daily calorie requirement

information about the ‘whoosh’ phenomenon

OP posts:
Thread gallery
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Maccalenny · 22/04/2019 17:58

Trying not to feel too pleased with myself at dodging all the Easter chocolate. I know if I eat chocolate and wheat I will feel bloated and ill...despite knowing, I’ve still gone back to it several times. But have avoided it this weekend at least! And have instead done lots of saintly gardening and cooking.

purplespring - week three is always the issue! You will make up for it next week.

bear - how long is your race, and where? Are you excited, nervous, both?

thenewaveragebear1983 · 22/04/2019 18:07

Macca it's a half marathon (21k) in Stratford upon Avon. I am nervous, and excited , I suppose a bit of nervous energy is a good thing. I've done the distance before in training and I've trained hard, so I just keep reminding myself that. Annoyingly, I have a trapped nerve in my neck (from of all things, pushing the toilet door too hard when I was bursting for a wee!) and I'm just hoping it untraps itself before Sunday!

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lasttimeround · 22/04/2019 18:57

Arrrrgh! After carefully navigating all the pitfalls of Easter an impromptu bbq with friends occurs. Lovely and its all working out until glass of wine leads yo poor choices and carb binge. Ot doesn't even fetl or t

lasttimeround · 22/04/2019 19:03

Feel or taste good and I'm eating like no tomorrow. I'm actually stressed about return to work tomorrow including an event I'm conflicted about. Seriously conflicted about. Lack of time for mindfulness this weekend has meant its coje out through food. I'm disappointed as I haven't binged like this in a good long while and its something I want to stop.

Ugh ugh ugh.

bear if you have access to diclofenac (often marketed as voltarol) take some with paracetamol to increase effectiveness. A voiple of doses should ease any inflammatory trapped nerve stuff. Used to be available over the counter but now prescription only in UK? I'm not sure any more- I always get some from relatives in other countries as it's really effective for my back.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 22/04/2019 19:29

Thanks last, I have been taking oral ibuprofen but hadn't considered anything stronger, I'll try a pharmacy tomorrow.

Sorry to hear you're struggling last, it's horrible when it creeps up on you. I'm a terrible stress eater too. Remember though- it's one day, it's not the end of the world, any gain tomorrow (because you know you're going to step on the scales tomorrow to punish yourself Grin) is purely water, and you can get right back on it because one lapse is not a relapse. Use it as a learning exercise to remind yourself how you used to be. Like macca said earlier, just think, we used to eat this rubbish all the time and didn't even realise how it made us feel.

And be kind to yourself. Thanks

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Maccalenny · 22/04/2019 19:30

bear I would need so much more than a bit of nervous energy to run 1km, let alone 21. I hope the neck eases so you can enjoy it.

When I had a bad back I was told to take paracetamol with ibrufen to maximise their effect, when other painkillers made me unwell.

last good luck for the work event tomorrow - once it is over you might be able to clear your mind a bit and refocus on the plan.

JeanieJardine55 · 22/04/2019 19:35

Hi, can I join you? I started today doing fast800. Today has gone ok except that I was starving at about half 4 this afternoon. I think I need to get some fruit tea bags to see me through. I’ve finished eating for today and had 809 calls and 42g carbs. Possibly a bit carby but will see how it goes. I’ve had 3L water and hope to manage another one before bed.

I’m hoping to do this for 10 weeks then move to 5:2. I have 7 stone to lose but would be happy with 6 (or even 5).

lasttimeround · 22/04/2019 19:39

Welcome Jeanie - it gets easier, and it works which helps with motivation once you get rolling. Keep at it sounds like a decent day.

Good point Macca, paracetamol basically amps up the effect of most painkillers so even mixing it with ibuprofen will help your neck better than either on it's own bear.

Maccalenny · 23/04/2019 07:16

Hi Jeanie - sounds like a really good first day. Fruit or herbal teas are great if you are peckish - I also drink marmite, about 25cals for a tsp I think. Weight loss in the first week or two can be amazing....good luck and enjoy!

careerchange456 · 23/04/2019 08:02

Hello, I'm just reading through your thread and feeling inspired! Something needs to change...

So my question before I buy the book, how much time do you need to put into cooking/prepping? I realise this sorting my food intake is more important than most things in life but I work full time and then in the evenings, have 2 DC under 4, my DH works away Mon-Fri and I have no family support. Is it doable? At the moment, for convenience, I eat breakfast at home, have a cooked lunch at work, then have soup/beans on toast type teas to completely cut down on cooking. And then of course I snack...

I don't know how to make the change to sort my life out when I spend every day working or looking after the kids. Could I do it??

PhoenixMama · 23/04/2019 08:57

@careerchange I'm a single mum, with no family help, doing a full time MA & working part time. It's very doable, as long as you make it a priority. For your example, I would skip breakfast, have lunch of a soup or salad (protein heavy) and then a light tea. You won't get away eating processed or convenience food on this plan. Using something like My Fitness Pal is invaluable!

I've found that COOK meals are good for lunches when I'm going to be at work or school & all grocert shops do a chicken & veg soup that has a decent amount of protein but is low carb.

I had to realise that I use my busy-ness as an excuse not to eat well but when I do eat well I feel so much better & have so much more energy it's really worth it!

careerchange456 · 23/04/2019 09:26

Phoenix Thank you for your post. It's absolutely the case that I use being busy an excuse. I also use eating to get me through a couple hours of work in the evening once the kids are in bed BlushWhat a mess!!

Right, I'm going to buy the book.

This is another crap excuse but I'm worried about making it through the day on so little food? I'm a primary teacher, younger year group, so I'm on my feet all day and pretty active in my teaching. I'm assuming the early weeks are pretty hard going?

Astella22 · 23/04/2019 10:13

I was doing so so well until Saturday evening when one treat led me to finish yup yesterday with a KFC Blush I feel just awful today like I’ve a hangover so I’m right back on it today. I’m determined that this will be my only blip in the 8 weeks.

Fantasmagoric · 23/04/2019 11:08

Good morning! I'm new to this thread (but not to mn, just a frequent namechanger because I give away too much personal info!).

I started Fast800 last Wednesday, so on day 7 today. Been going really well, not starving but a growing sense of hunger... but this may be because I'm missing the comfort element of gracing and bingeing. Anyway, dropped almost 4kg in the first 4 days, but stalked a little now (makes sense, water loss). All well until yesterday evening... but I am rather proud Confused of myself because although I had a binge Blush, it was on smoked salmon and cheese, so quite low carb compared with my 'usual' binge of crisps/toast, etc. I am also doing well today which is an achievement for me after breaking from the plan. So not beating up about that... but I'm joining you here as I think I need some support from people who may understand.

I am about 35kg overweight. Losing 25kg would get me out of obese for a start. My stomach has gone down really quickly which is encouraging, trousers fit better already. But I've been really tired... we got back from holiday in USA the day before I started (ie a week today) - could it still just be jet lag? Anyway, I never get enough sleep! So my project this week is to be in bed by 10.30pm. DH is away with work so this should be easier to achieve but is also more challenging without him as I have to do all the running round with our very sporty kids and a bit for me too. Off work today so back full steam tomorrow.

Anyway, sorry for the essay, just sort of splurging out my worries there! It's been good reading other experiences already! I'm hoping to do 8-12 weeks on the 800, but will review at 2 weeks to see if that's setting up to fail or not.

Maccalenny · 23/04/2019 12:54

career - I agree with everything phoenix said. I’m also a single mum working full time and long hours. It works for me by eating very simple meals sometimes - eg salad and tinned fish - and by prepping lots at the weekend, so I can usually get to Thursday before I have think about cooking as the fridge and freezer have home-made ready meals and soup. I still have to cook something for the kids but they are not too demanding thankfully! At weekends I cook meals we all eat, with tweaks to reduce carbs and calories - smaller portion, bigger pile of veggies etc.
You just need to find a few basic recipes that work for you...Pinterest is great for ideas.

Maccalenny · 23/04/2019 12:57

Welcome astella and fanta - blips happen, it’s just life... it’s the habits most of the time that make a difference, not the occasional lapses!

JeanieJardine55 · 23/04/2019 15:58

Thank you for the warm welcome.

I woke this morning with the most incredibly sore head and feeling quite nauseous so, although I had planned not to have anything before 9:30, I had a cup of tea with a drop of soya milk and two paracetamol. That did the trick. I went for a swim and actually felt quite energised. I’m not the least bit hungry at the moment although dinner will be a bit later tonight. So far so good!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 23/04/2019 19:29

Welcome new starters!

I've had a shockingly rubbish day. I can't cope with not planning my food, and especially when there's still goodies in the house. I've ended up eating loads of hot cross buns and ice cream and other rubbish, when really I should have just binned it.

I tried the voltarol last and it has improved it slightly, I will do it in combo with paracetamol tonight and see if that helps as the nights are worse. I'm just waiting for Dh to get home to go for a slow run too to see if that helps.

I feel pretty miserable and crappy- combination of being fed up of kitchen fitters, fed up of whiny kids off school (!), pre-race nerves and not supposed to be doing the one thing that calms my nerves (running), and having pain in my shoulder. Rubbish food was probably inevitable eh?

I've planned my food for tomorrow though, fasting through til lunchtime and then salad, and a gastro fish thing for dinner. I'm so bored of not being able to cook though!

You're all doing so well! Great work Star

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Bythebeach · 23/04/2019 20:13

I’ve had a rubbish day too bear. It’s day 15 and I haven’t got a proper plan for here onwards yet and I’m pre-menstrual. Having not touched anything remotely bad for 2 weeks, I succumbed to some chocolate fingers and a bag of crisps 😫

onanothertrain · 23/04/2019 21:43

I've had a shocking Easter weekend, today I was meant to be back on it and ate an Easter egg for my dinner Blush. Did go for a run though but feel like an absolute pig.
Hopefully tomorrow's better....

Maccalenny · 24/04/2019 05:27

It’s like confession time here at the moment! I’ve been on forums for support with other diets, and when I’ve strayed I’ve stopped posting and dropped off the forum. So everyone keep reporting the successes and the little Easter egg/hot cross bun/chocolate finger errors (chocolate fingers...work of the devil....I could eat a whole packet easily) to help get back on track.

Bear I do hope your neck eases and your kitchen is finished soon. You can be forgiven any amount of ice cream in the circumstances!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 24/04/2019 07:08

Thanks macca and you're right, it is very important to stay in the thread when you're struggling. It's stupid, I can resist temptation so well on the 'big' things but then the next day eat so much stuff that not even nice, and not what I wanted.

Anyway, line drawn. I'm determined to get back into that lovely sugar free mindset, and that's actually a totally separate issue to my meals being on plan. The sugar is just a bad habit i've gotten back into. My meals are generally good.

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lasttimeround · 24/04/2019 08:42

I'm putting myself on the watch list. Yesterday descended in to annoyance driven eating, wine really didn't help with food choices. I am kind of observing myself during this. Trying to get my brain to recognise that the food and the wine dont actually help.

Welcome to everyone new. This woe generally works really well, honest.

PhoenixMama · 24/04/2019 10:52

Morning all! Totally agree it's nice to have somewhere to be totally honest. But also that some 'off plan' good is expected a as part of life. (Trying to avoid the phrase 'bad foods' because the food aren't bad, it's my attitude about them which needs work!)

Closed the kitchen yesterday at around 600 cals but still didn't feel very well. Apparently down 3lbs but still not back to my lowest last week. Scary that 1 weekend can basically eradicate an entire weeks work!

Hope everyone's feeling better today!

boldlygoingsomewhere · 24/04/2019 11:29

I’ve started the Fast 800 this week. I’ve had success with 5:2 before but fell off the wagon. I bloat really easily and currently look 5 months pregnant.

I’m hoping that 2 weeks of fast 800 will blitz some of that fat and give me a bit of motivation. At the end of the two weeks, I’ll review and see if I want to continue longer. It’s slipping back into bad habits like eating too much bread which I worry about long-term.