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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
Waterandlemonjuice · 16/05/2019 20:16

Takeaways: Indian is easy, just don’t have rice or naan. Mixed grill is just meat

Chinese is harder, so much sugar but you could have duck and pancakes and not too much hoisin sauce - the pancakes are so thin they can’t be many calories

Waterandlemonjuice · 16/05/2019 20:24

Bear, AMAZING photos, well done, that’s very motivating, you look amazing!

Today I had bacon and eggs then went to a friend for lunch and ate a few raw carrot sticks with tsatsiki, 4 slices of prosciutto, a tiny falafel and a few olives. Tonight I had sea bass, sugar snap peas, an apple, some raspberries and a Marmite cheese. I’m probably over again. Oh well, I’m probably still under 1200.

Rarotonga · 16/05/2019 20:26

Hi
I just wondered if anybody has done this whilst bf? My child is two so not bf so much anymore but I don't want to start this if it would be detrimental to maintaining supply. Thanks in advance.

careerchange456 · 16/05/2019 20:34

Just reading back through - amazing photos bear. I would absolutely love that photo in the jeans but I just don't see that as me? Not worthy in some way, if you get what I mean without it sounding dramatic!!

Obviously it's very early days for me but I totally agree about this WOE being much easier for some reason. Points and syns seem so stupid in comparison. I feel I've had to resist a lot (how many work buffets in just 3 weeks and then an afternoon tea baby shower 😩) but I've done it somehow. I would never have done that on any other diet, ever. It's like a switch has been flipped in my brain.

Having said that, I probably do need to be tighter on calories. I'm not eating anything bad but I'm probably eating too much. Thank you for the takeaway post. I'll try and suggest Indian!

careerchange456 · 16/05/2019 20:37

Raro No real advice** - I've only just started BSD and DS has just stopped all feeds at the same time (2.3yrs). I do think your supply would probably be fine at this stage though.

Ohyesiam · 16/05/2019 22:45

fromnowhere
Welcome back. I have a really screwed up relationship to food, no willpower and an addictive nature. If can do it anyone can.
I’m on day 9 and I’ve lost 9.5 lbs! You can do this x

Macca did you do a sauce in you’re fish pie? Sounds interesting.

Lndn I’m so pissed off with your “
friend”. She has a hidden agenda, nobody’s dense enough to say that without knowing the impact it would have on a dieting woman. Let it motivate you. Get thinner and knock em deadWink.

I’ve had a mixed day. Great loss , as above, taking me down to 14 stone (I’ve got a really big frame and can look good at 12 stone, so it’s feeling possible) , but my potential wedding dress arrived, in two sizes, (because miracles are possible, )and it’s not the bright saffron of the website, it’s a bit ochreSad. I hate shopping.

I think I’ll wait till late June , which was always my plan. Maximum weight loss and tan potentialGrin

I need to let it go now, disappointment is so dull.

Closing the kitchen at about 800

Feelingfortyisntfun · 16/05/2019 22:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Bluestoops · 17/05/2019 06:43

This thread is really inspiring!

I’m gearing up to start fast 800 having re-gained about 4 stones over the last couple of years (still can’t believe I let that happen).

Do people have any tips for fitting this in with family meals? I don’t really want to prepare different meals but struggling to think of meals I can adapt for 2 children and a husband with a large appetite.

fromnowhere · 17/05/2019 07:33

Bluestoops I'd be interested in that too. I have to eat separately to my family most of the time, and preparing potatoes and pasta etc for them is a real challenge for a carb addict!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 17/05/2019 07:36

Feeling thanks. Yes, I suppose running is my drug of choice now, it's really changed my life. I've had a very addictive nature all my life so I suppose it's only natural I'd get hooked on the endorphins as well!

Blue my only tip for family meals is to plan really well for the week. Breakfast/lunch can be different, but we always have the same at dinner (probably 5x a week) but I'll have say chicken and salad, the dc will have chips/rice with it. I'm lucky because mine will eat veg. I trawl recipe books for ideas too, pretty much anything can be adapted or added to with a carb for the family. But planning is the key. A couple of nights we'll have 'freezer food' so they'll have pizza or something and Dh and I will have Young's fish or something homemade that they won't eat. And I freeze portions too so there's always something for me. I get what you mean though, I look through the BSD book and try to imagine my 3 year old eating some of those things-nope!

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Laska2Meryls · 17/05/2019 08:42

Ate a 'Continental' breakfast today, as woke up v hungry, 2 slices Emmental and 2 slices Brunswick ham. , but am now planning on eating nothing more til this evening when I have a H/M Salmon and prawn Thai green curry planned (, inc a little coconut, green beans red pepper ) and courgette noodles ..

MFP says that will be just on the 800

PhoenixMama · 17/05/2019 12:47

Well I've totally f'd up this morning. 2 pastries before 1130! And I feel sick from it! Serves me right. Will try to be good rest of the day!

boldlygoingsomewhere · 17/05/2019 12:56

I’m feeling a bit rough today - like I’m about to get a migraine. Might need to have slightly higher carbs and calories today.

Next week, I’m going to move to a 4:3 pattern and have 3 fasting days at 800 cals but will still stick to the med diet principles if the BSD the rest of the time. I don’t have too much too lose now - 10lbs or so and I’m happy to take that at a slightly slower pace.

Laska2Meryls · 17/05/2019 13:16

Arggh I havent managed the 'no more food until dinner', today, I suppose thats what comes of having breakfast , rather than sticking it through until lunchtime.
I have been fine doing this all week but I am so hungry today I could eat everything, .. and its cold ( or I feel really cold anyway ) so have just had a couple of eggs with a dab of mayo (Hellmans full fat so pretty LC) ..I thought that would help and its not too bad on the calories

QRCode · 17/05/2019 14:00

Oh Phoenix - pick yourself up, dust yourself down and rise above it!!

Lifeisntadressrehearsal · 17/05/2019 14:09

Grrr - I've actually gained a lb rather than lost - where's the whoosh! I am bunged - so this may be explaining me not loosing IYKWIM!

Closed the kitchen:
Sun 785
Mon 785
Tues 825
Weds 813
Thurs 780

So I'm def not off plan.

I'm drinking more water - but I've stayed the same weight all week and gone up today!

Any words of wisdom gratefully received. Especially re being a bit more regular - as is a bit of an issue as obviously not having as much fibre !

Re family meals, I have 3 kids ( includes 2 sporty teenage girls) and do some of the fast 800 meals for them as well but then they have rice and naan breads and I'll have cauli rice etc.

Talking recipes - apparently the fast800 recipe book is out on the 16th June - can't wait Grin

I've got the previous Michael Mosely books out the library - def going to buy the bsd and clever guts recipe books - the recipes are fab and def family friendly. New way of life going forward.

Just want the weightloss to get moving again! I'm tantalising close to having my weight start with a 10 - and this hasn't been the case since before kids!

Feelingfortyisntfun · 17/05/2019 14:45

Can I check with you all how long you're planning to stay "on plan" ?

Also why are you all doing this is it just to lose weight? reevaluating goals today!

I was wondering about making a little blog with progress or lack of!

Lndnmummy · 17/05/2019 14:51

Reading everyone’s journey is so inspiring and insightful. I learn so much! You guys were right, carbflu is starting to give I have actually felt really good today. Super alert and sharp not so foggy headed as I normally am. Playing around with meal times and macros are useful too.i have found that I do need three meals but that one of them can be very light. I also do much better on food instead of bars and shakes so a huge thank you for pointing that out. As I now feel better my next challenge for next week is to make sure I do 10000 steps every day and that I’m more consistent with my water intake.

Yes, “friend” is a dick. People do funny things when you decide to loose weight. I’m telling everyone because it will help my accountability. Most people diss the “diet”. Oh that’s never sustainable, you are meant to eat 2000 cals a day, yada yada. I guess it’s more comfortable for people if you stay fat and unhappy. It’s abit of an eye opener!
Anyway, she can f%^* right off as I have lost 2kg in 5 days!!! I slept wonderfully last night too (on medication for insomnia normally) and my husband said my skin looked “really lovely”.
So yea, she is a dick but I’ll have the last laugh! Feeling strong and empowered today! It’s your photos bear, they woke me up and gave me abit of fire in my belly!!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 17/05/2019 17:40

Feeling I think I'll be low carb forever. As soon as I reintroduce carbs to a 'normal' level, eg cereal, bread, pasta potato , I gain weight. It simply does not suit my physiology I think. So In some way or another I will try to do med style eating as my 'normal'

LND oh my, in the years I've done this diet I've heard some hilarious diet advice. What's the most annoying/funny is where you get some variation of: I really want to lose some weight, but I don't want to give up the foods that make me gain Weight, so I'm going to rewrite the plan so that it incorporates some of the things I want to eat (eg loads of carbs) and then moan because I'm not losing weight. I get that a lot. I had one friend tell me that she was low-carbing while she was eating malt loaf. Malt loaf. The carbiest food on earth. And my mother in law repeatedly tells me that it's desperately unhealthy to not eat bread and cake, and that my body will start digesting my heart muscles and I'll die if I insist on cutting out major food groups- and yet moans that she's gained weight from eating too much chocolate and wine??!!

Trust me, you'll hear some absolute corkers! I think deep down, people don't want to hear that the answer to weight loss is actually hard work, saying no to 'nice treats' and that we haven't just waved a magic wand. I don't tell people about the 800 calories though usually because then it really opens the floodgates of advice about crash diets and healthy eating.

OP posts:
Ohyesiam · 17/05/2019 17:45

I know artificial sweeteners are vile and raise blood sugar, but I just read an uninformed sounding thing about stevia. That is the best of the bunch, and doesn’t raise blood sugar much.
I’ve never tasted or used it, but I’m interested.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 17/05/2019 18:25

I've heard good things about stevia too, but it is really unpleasant tasting in big quantities which is why it's not often used to replace sugar in cakes or fizzy drinks (coke did a green coke which was half stevia, half sugar I think?)

I do use artificial sweeteners in the very occasional soft drinks I have tonic water and it seems ok. Be warned that posh tonics, fever-tree light etc are sweetened with pure fructose, they are not good on this plan even though they are 'naturally light'! I always ask for Schweppes diet in pubs but I do find posh wanky gin bars only do fevertree so I always point out that fever tree is not sugar free and they don't give a shit

I'd be mindful about using sweeteners to sweeten everyday foods though, eg berries or yoghurt, because regardless of the effect on blood sugar, it can keep you wanting that sweet taste and masks the natural sweetness of the food. Its amazing how quickly your tastebuds adapt once you cut it out.

Little non scale victory today- grabbed a size 8 Topshop jumpsuit at the Charity shop for my 15 y dd, thought I'd just try it on just to see and it fits, and looks ok. So I'm keeping it but I've told her she can borrow it!

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Maccalenny · 17/05/2019 18:47

So many people posting today - I can’t access internet at work so I love getting home and catching up with how everyone is doing.
ohyes - my fish pie doesn’t really have a recipe....I cooked the veg a bit, gently mixed in prawns and fish, stirred in a bit of cream cheese, loosened it with a spot of milk, layered some boiled egg on top, then the mash, oven till the top was crispy. I got six meals at around 300 cals and 10g carbs.
feelingforty I’ve done twelve weeks now, and I’ve lost loads, but still have a way to go so I am doing 800 during the week and not counting at weekends. I will stay at that for as long as it takes.
Lndn - people’s reaction to the diet is interesting isn’t it. I told a few people that I was not eating carbs when I started, but didn’t really go into the 800 part of it, as I was concerned I would get negative comments. Now I’m happy to tell people, and as they can see how much weight I’ve lost and how well I am, I’m only getting positive feedback.
lifeisnt - this time next week you will be looking back and be so pleased you stuck with it. Your weight will get moving soon - and ground flax seed and chia seeds are great for easily upping fibre levels!

Maccalenny · 17/05/2019 18:55

Bear good result with the jumpsuit! That’s got to feel good.
I need to go shopping this weekend as I’m struggling with work clothes, things getting a bit too baggy. Nice problem to have!

Lndnmummy · 17/05/2019 19:10

Question, how do you deal with feelings of deprivation? I hadn’t realised how big a part of my life revolves around food. Eating out with friends, meeting for a glass of wine. Relaxing on a Friday night...I feel sad bored and lonely. How do you guys deal with it?

Maccalenny · 17/05/2019 19:33

Lndn it’s an interesting question. I guess one answer is - it depends why you are doing this and how much you want to change things for yourself.
Personally tonight I’m browsing clothes on the internet and thinking what I can wear now, and what I might want to wear in a couple of months. I really don’t feel deprived...just excited!
I think you have to find a way that this will work for you, without making you miserable. You can choose to have a glass of wine with friends, go out for a meal and choose carefully from the menu, if not doing those things are going to impact on your ability to stay on track.