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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
36
careerchange456 · 04/05/2019 08:48

Hello all, I'm still in, day 8 officially, day 12 of dabbling. I can see the effects (I think!!!) but I've always been too in denial to weigh myself. I'm ok at the moment but I think I'm going to get bored of the food soon. I've seen you say that variation is the key but I'm struggling to get anything other than salad or stir fry prepared! I am feeling determined though. Exercise is another issue, I'm struggling Mon-Fri. Going to get a Fitbit to see how many steps I'm doing though.

Maccalenny · 04/05/2019 08:59

career, well done for sticking with it. Can you do some prep at the weekends so you have food in fridge or freezer when you need a quick meal? Then you can have curries, chillies, stews etc that need a bit longer cooking. Also eggs....quick, easy, versatile.

KittyMcKitty · 04/05/2019 09:01

Wow some fantastic losses and some great tips and advice thank you everyone.

I’ve had a better second half of this week and have ended up with a 2.8lb loss this week which whilst not great is still a loss! I’ve stuck to 800 all week but for the second half of the week have ensured my carbs were 50g or less and that’s when the loss occurred. Have also upped my water.

But the most exciting thing is that as of this morning I weigh 12 stone exactly so the next losswill see my weight starting with an 11!!!!!

I have a tricky week coming up - drinks party tonight, BBQ on Monday and lunch with friends on Wednesday combined with v busy work week for me and impending gcse’s For DC1. Tbh would be v happy to either maintain or have a small loss.

Ideally I would like to get to 10st10lbs - a weight I’ve not been for probably around 7 years. I’m probably the lightest I’ve been for 4 years at the moment. The absolutely best thing is having a flat stomach- the uncomfortable bulge when sitting was what finally gave me the kick to get going. Also the vast majority of people in my social group (and the school mums) are very slim and I was just fed up feeling miserable as I was the fat frumpy one (I know that sounds stupid but it mattered to me). I love clothes and want to be able to look nice and be healthy - I want to be around for as long as possible to see my kids grow up Smile

careerchange456 · 04/05/2019 09:13

Macca I do normally cook for the freezer at the weekend - problem is our freezer is currently stuffed full of meals that aren't necessarily BSD friendly! I do need to go through my go to meals and see what I could make and eat during the week rather than freezing though. I've just found it's taken all the time I have to think about getting through day to day! I will get more sorted though.

Forgot to put in my post that I also navigated a work buffet on day 3 - was pretty pleased with that. And I've avoided the cakes that keep appearing in the staffroom!

There's definitely something that feels more doable with this diet than others for me. I'm not sure why but I like it!

teta · 04/05/2019 11:43

4 pounds down from Tuesday when I actually plucked up the courage to weigh myself😊. I’m going to follow the diet during the week and at the weekend. But will allow myself some wine for the two days. Otherwise this diet will feel totally penurious. So far I’ve done a 5 day,4 day and a 3 day fast800. I’m still following the principals and I find a 16 hour fast easy to incorporate into my day. I really enjoyed some home made Malaysian curry last night with cauliflower rice. But the can of very delicious coconut milk in it was 800 calories and made the curry very filling.

waterandlemonjuice · 04/05/2019 11:48

Well done kitty, I DREAM of 12 stone! Bbq should be ok, as should lunch if its in a restaurant, good luck.

waterandlemonjuice · 04/05/2019 11:49

Phoenixmama, I find writing it all down really helps. And I tell myself that I’m being kind to myself doing this.

waterandlemonjuice · 04/05/2019 11:51

Macca, wow, that’s amazing loss!

waterandlemonjuice · 04/05/2019 11:51

Well done teta too!

waterandlemonjuice · 04/05/2019 11:53

Careerchange, there are so so many things you can eat on this WOE, the BSD recipe book is good .

Ohyesiam · 04/05/2019 11:57

bear thanks , I really appreciate you sharing your expertise.
MFP and the graph app are uploaded. I will start when my period calms down, so probably Tuesday.
I’m vegetarian which is worrying me a bit, if anyone has any tips or recipes I’ll be grateful. I’m thinking omelettes and halloumi salads. Would like to find some soups. I’ll have a look at the meal planning thread.
I’m really impressed with what people are doing here.

waterandlemonjuice · 04/05/2019 11:59

I’ve just made breakfast ‘muffins’, here they are

Blood Sugar Diet and Fast800 thread 14
waterandlemonjuice · 04/05/2019 11:59

They come out of the oven like little soufflés and then drop!

waterandlemonjuice · 04/05/2019 12:01

Vegetarian- you can have beans, lentils and cheese on the BSD

purplespring · 04/05/2019 12:08

I've weighed in early this week, this morning instead of Monday morning, as I'm starting nights tonight and still not sure what effect that has on my weight. I'm down 4.5lb from Monday.

My progress so far is
Week 1 -11.75lb
Week 2 -5.25lb
Week 3 +2lb
Week 4 -3.75lb
Week 5 (weigh in 2 days early) -4.5lb

I've stuck to it 100%. 2 and half weeks till my holiday and I feel fairly confident I'll lose the 4lbs required to see 15 stone on the scales like I wanted.

My next goal will be 14 stone on the scales by the middle July. And after that 13 stone on the scales by Christmas. It feels do-able and a 13 on the scales will the lowest I've been in at least 10 years.

Despite intending to I still haven't done any exercise. Actually I did look at the Emi Wong workouts and did an arm one a few times. I know I need to start soon and I know I will feel even better when I do.

lasttimeround · 04/05/2019 12:34

career in terms of quick stand-by meals I like canned fish. Tuna salads with whatever salad material you have. Or sardines fried up with veg. Eggs are good too. Or stick the same into some broth. I have miso paste and Tom yum which I like. Blocks of tofu and frozen prawns good for lots of stuff.
I haven't really done much planning with recipes yet as looking made me hungry. But I'm getting to the point now where I could. I have done quite a lot of just chucking stuff together.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 04/05/2019 12:42

Purple that's good. EW is a bit 'cutesy' but I think sometimes just finding the right thing for you can make so much difference. Once you start searching for things, other similar type stuff will be suggested for you too so far can give you ideas. I like the fact it's no equipment needed. My dc like to help me and we make up our own names for the exercises (eg. There's these knee raise things which my son calls 'the big trumps' - only works if your children are young though!)

Ohyes it's completely possible to do this as a vege, but I suppose you need to be mindful you're getting enough protein. Don't be afraid of protein sources like lentils/beans even though they are higher carbs. Also eggs, if you eat them? My mushroom thing from last night was really tasty, plus I ate the leftovers for breakfast with an egg cracked in the middle and that was good too.

I'm waiting for my hair dye to develop so sitting on the stairs away from the children (hurrah!). I love all your graphs, I don't really input my weight anymore as i go up and down the same 3lb constantly. I suppose that's the reality of maintenance! I'm due on imminently so should release a bit of water retention, but I realised today that compared to normal, I am much less bloated, much less achy and much much less 'snacky' than I am usually at this point in my cycle. It must be the no sugar.

Just did our usual car crash Saturday shop, the usual lunch things (pork based pastry products!), wine, snack foods and something sweet for the dc and I wasn't even tempted, although I did buy a bag of scratchings for when I get home from the pub tonight!

OP posts:
Maccalenny · 04/05/2019 15:20

Just did an EMI Wong workout....lower body....my legs and bum are in shock! I found a month workout plan that she did, so I’m printing it to give it a go. And now I’ve said that on here I’m more likely to stick to it.

LordProfFekkoThePenguinPhD · 04/05/2019 16:43

The diet looks interesting - I need to have more protein in my diet (am veggie) - but the lack of carbs is frightening (I love pasta, potatoes, rice, porridge...)!

Maccalenny · 04/05/2019 16:48

The halloumi was gorgeous....why haven’t I tried it before? I cooked it as bear suggested, fried in a hot pan till a bit crispy on the outside. It was a spicy halloumi and I had it with puy lentils and a side salad. Absolutely delicious! I was going to look for another way to cook the leftovers tomorrow but I suspect I will just be doing the same thing again, it was so nice.

Maccalenny · 04/05/2019 17:01

My first weekend day finished - I’ve logged my food on nutracheck, to see where I ended up. I had egg mayonnaise for breakfast, turkey chilli for lunch and my lovely halloumi and lentils for tea. I have eaten about 1450 calories, but still only 50g carbs. A successful day!

waterandlemonjuice · 04/05/2019 20:51

I love halloumi, I have courgette in the fridge to make courgette and halloumi kebabs tomorrow.

Today I’ve had:

breakfast muffin
an apple
Salad of spinach, red pepper, cucumber, tomato, pomegranate seeds and with it we had garlic and rosemary lamb, it was lovely
Supper is going to be some olives and manchego and pork scratchings

So I reckon I’m around 800 🙂

PhoenixMama · 04/05/2019 22:24

Thanks for all the kind words. In the end it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I'm over carbs but under cals. I also ran 3k with DD and my steps hit 15k (with the run) which when I think about it is so incredibly far away from my life 7 weeks ago it's hilarious I thought it was a bad day.

I really do find weekends tough, just for treats and balance and busier days with less control. But I do not want to be undoing all my hard work in the week in just a couple of days ago I need to work through it. I'm 10lbs from the lowest I've been since DD was born almost 10 years ago! I want that goal!

PhoenixMama · 04/05/2019 22:26

Meant to say my saving grace today was Waitrose chicken and vegetables broth. 300ml is 117cals and fills me up (with only veg carbs) so if I have to have something off plan it doesn't do as much damage to the day!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 05/05/2019 09:26

Had a good night last night, few glasses of wine and a few several gin and tonics (although now all these poncy gin bars have cropped up, it's difficult to get a sugar free tonic as fever tree light is not sugar free!) and yes I may have had a few slices of cheese on toast when I got in. But no sugar. I really struggled to sleep last night so eventually came downstairs to read and slept on the sofa, hopefully that plus mild hangover won't affect my day too much as I now feel very tired.

Roast chicken today for dinner. Meals planned for the week ahead. I'm feeling quite optimistic about getting some 800 calorie days under my belt because I feel like I have really broken the back of my sugar addiction this week!

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