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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
Lndnmummy · 20/05/2019 13:49

Hey guys, I have just had a job interview! It went well. Just wanted to say thank you for all the advice and support when I gained over the weekend. I had a long walk yesterday and lots of water and I’m down most of the weight (water) already. I downloaded the app that was recommended so that I can get similar graphs to macca and it shows downward trend clearly.

I’m so proud and grateful today. Grateful I found this thread. There are so many victories that don’t show on the scales. I have clear skin, I slept soundly last night before my interview today. My carb flu is gone, I’m in control of my appetite. I threw away pizza (this is unheard of for me). I’m trying and liking new food, the list is endless. I’m getting a bit emotional. Thanks guys and let’s keep this shit going. Let’s all look like @thenewaveragebear!

Lndnmummy · 20/05/2019 13:49

Sorry, bloody typos. Sorry bearBlush

thenewaveragebear1983 · 20/05/2019 14:05

LND well done! When will you hear about the job? Is this to return to after your maternity leave?

OP posts:
StarJasmine · 20/05/2019 14:08

Happy Monday everyone.
Laksa on the flip side though, all that wine and you’re still 1.5? lbs lighter than a week ago? That’s not bad going for any other ‘diet’.

I got my blood test results back today, which I had done privately to see why I am so exhausted all the time and also as a starting point for this diet. Most general things are not too bad but my LDL (bad) cholesterol is a bit high, so it will be interesting to see if/how that changes over the next few months. I’m going to need to start a supplement regime though because I’m vitamin D and folate deficient and my ferritin and B12 is low borderline as well. Need to do a bit of thinking about all that.

Laska2Meryls · 20/05/2019 15:32

pheonixmama yes absolutely. yes..Wine is what dos it for me , .. I usually give up totally for a month before the holiday anyway ( because, hey its Greece, I shall be drinking the local wine every day for three weeks. . I shall do it from now.. 5weeks booze free should make a big difference.. I have also taken on board what you have said about not too much restriction and had a small lunch.. some chicken and asparagus.. Another thing I realise I have omitted to do over the weekend , (and today so far - just rectifying that now ) , is drink lots of water..) .
start you are right! actually its actually 2.5lbs overall , if I count from last Monday morning so yes, .. thanks for reminding me of that . Smile

boldlygoingsomewhere · 20/05/2019 17:17

Great to see so many people losing and also so many carrying on after a blip. Smile

I made my preferred low-carb bread substitute today:

www.thelondoner.me/2014/03/mums-low-carb-bread.html

I’ve adapted the recipe to how it suits me. I double the other ingredients but reduce the number of eggs. It’s the right consistency for me then and not too ‘eggy’. It’s a great standby when I have a bread urge.

Waterandlemonjuice · 20/05/2019 17:58

Well done everyone! Today I think I'm probably on 800

An apple, Marmite cheese
M&S salad, 250 cal, 100 cal of prawns
M&S prawn and tomatoes in basil and oil, 250 cals
a few almonds

So I'm fairly sure that's 800 and it's my first 800 day for ages so it needed to be!

Maccalenny · 20/05/2019 18:39

bear - thank you for the idea of writing a list reasons for and against. I really like that idea, then I can hold myself more accountable on the days I’m struggling to get off the sofa - like every day at the moment!

I’ve been so tired today, all day, for absolutely no reason. As a consequence, I’ve been thinking of chocolate. But resisting temptation, just about!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 20/05/2019 19:15

Macca I think sometimes it helps me to really look at what I actually want and not what I think I want/should want. So with regards to exercise, for me it was always - well I can't do an evening class because Dh can't commit to be home, I'm too tired to run in the evening, it stops me sleeping etc etc. When I did that list before I started, I came to the conclusion that I needed to get up 15 minutes earlier and reclaim those minutes before everyone else got up (which is still actually my preferred time for a workout). There is categorically zero point in me committing to swim after work, or going to 4 gym classes a week, because my lifestyle just doesn't allow it and it would be the first thing to go. Case in point- we have a beautiful, private, indoor heated pool at a complex where we own a BTL flat. It's about a mile from our house. Its our ten year anniversary tomorrow, and I could literally count on one hand the number of times we've used that pool in ten years. There's always an excuse. And we even lived there for a while and still didn't use it Blush

Today I've felt rather sorry for myself, have a sore throat and I've been very busy. As a result, have not stuck to 800 calories! I've had 2 lovely salads, but both have been calorific, plus a hearty dollop of Greek yogurt with berries too. I have already made my lunch for tomorrow though and calorie counted it all ready for a Fast800 day!

OP posts:
StarJasmine · 20/05/2019 19:21

W1D5
B: Smoked salmon & spinach baked egg
L: Pesto-topped quorn fillet with Italian beans (Heinz creationz pouch)
D: Mushroom stroganoff with cheesy garlic cauliflower mash (thanks for inspiration Illiantium! Was scrummy).

I’m only at 620cals and don’t really feel like eating any more now - so think I might just leave it there, don’t even really feel like a square of chocolate.

Massive respect for those getting straight back on the horse. It seems that this way of eating is fairly forgiving once we get back to it. I’m going away for a long weekend with friends in a few weeks which is an annual thing and involves lots of drinking and eating out. I’m already accepting in my mind that I won’t be able to do 800cal days there, I plan to eat as med-style as practical, moderate my alcohol intake and just get back on track when I get back. Life can’t stop because of a diet.

I’m back to work tomorrow - have been on annual leave so far. So no time for cooked breakfast, have already packed a lunch. Will need to steady my willpower as work always has sharing biscuits/chocolate around to avoid!

Blood Sugar Diet and Fast800 thread 14
Blood Sugar Diet and Fast800 thread 14
Blood Sugar Diet and Fast800 thread 14
thenewaveragebear1983 · 20/05/2019 19:28

I bought a cauliflower today especially for the cheesey garlic cauli mash!

Have just remembered that my Fast800 might not happen tomorrow as we are going out for a meal for our 10 year anniversary (10 y since our first date!). Oh well. I'll try my best!

OP posts:
StarJasmine · 20/05/2019 19:59

I was extra pleased with tonight’s dinner because it pretty much all came from the freezer (frozen onions, sliced mushrooms and cauli rice portion). It was proper comfort food and quick to cook too.

StarJasmine · 20/05/2019 20:00

Oh and happy anniversary!

Feelingfortyisntfun · 21/05/2019 08:25

So many posts to catch up on and some people I wanted to directly reply too.

My reasons for wanting to do this:

Combating slow weight gain that has accumulated and not shifted over the years - if I don't watch it it will keep going on and the weight graph up.

I stress eat, I eat eat when anxious, I eat when celebrating and when tired. I just like eating sometimes too much - my parents gave me food as a reward so I blame them. I did my genetic testing and I have all the fat genes which I think explains the huge appetite. I'm someone who will want to finish off the lot when everyone else is full. I'd actually rather go without. If that makes sense to anyone.

Mainly thought I have low level depression which (I have no reason for my life is lovely) which worsens at TOM. If I could do anything that may improve this it would be amazing. Bit of a vicious cycle as would eat to cheer myself up so nervous about this one.

The company photo.. yes the one that everyone sees, they took of me sitting down. Thighs were all squished and now my picture sits on a board never to be removed.

Ohyesiam · 21/05/2019 08:31

NOOOOOOO! I’m on a plateau!

W3d1, and I’ve lost 0.4 of a lb in the last weekSad.
Cue lots of panicking that I’m not doing it properly, despite

Only 1 day over 800
16:8 daily
2 L of water daily
Good exercise regime

There’s no way I’m
Going to go off course now, but I already have a tricky week ahead with working away, in an environment where i have no control over my food, we are cooked a communal meal.

I’m so glad I’ve read about the plateaus. But it’s not reassuring.

But on the plus side that 0.4 lb has taken me down to below 14 stone, so a whole new set of numbers on the scales.

Seasidedreamer · 21/05/2019 12:19

Hello all

A returner to the thread here. Participated last year and did fairly well. Unexpectedly went on a training course and got diverted by pizza and over 6 months later here I am again! Damage isn’t too bad and I’m starting at exactly 12 with ambitions to be 10.10. I find it very hard to drop under 11.6 though so I am so hoping I can stick with it.

Going to try sub 1000 every day. When I aim for 800 and go over I feel bad so hopefully I will feel good about being under 1000. Also combining with 16:8 which I naturally find easy anyway. But age is against me and I find it much harder to lose weight as I head towards 50.

I’ve also downloaded the happy scale app this morning. I normally avoid the scales so it will be interesting to see how I get on with it.

Bear you need a public service award for keeping this thread going - a big thank you. Pleased to see you’re still doing so well!

PhoenixMama · 21/05/2019 13:00

@feelingforty I got sweets as a reward as a kid too and I'm desperately trying to stop doing it with DD - it's amazing how deep that goes. Have you spoken to anyone about your depression? If it's low grade it might be really easy to do something about?

@Ohyes - I hit a plateau pretty much every 3 weeks, no idea exactly why, but I can definitely see a pattern. Can you up your water to 3L and add extra salt to your diet? That definitely helps mine!

I've hit a bit of a down patch at the moment - think it's a combination of my relationship 'break' and some stuff around DD, school and secondary school. Scale says I'm up 2lbs but I reckon that's the wine I've had the last few nights (I'm within cals but I know alcohol just bloats me) but I'm a bit bunged up too which doesn't help. Feeling very weepy the last few days, which has nothing to do with my cycle sadly, and am really trying to stay away from ALL the carbs, but did break down and have a Mr Kipling earlier (oops!) I know its a bloody vicious cycle so no idea why I do it!

Ohyesiam · 21/05/2019 13:51

PhoenixMama

Thanks, yes I can do salt and 3 L of water. Can anyone shed light on how the salt thing works?

And yes to being bunged up! I’m getting lots of veg in for fibre, maybe there just isn’t enough physical food to get put through the system? But I imagine it’s more sophisticated than that.

I’m going to try some psyllium seed husks for bulk, after checking for carbs obvs. Grin

StarJasmine · 21/05/2019 14:15

ohyes I’d suggest upping water intake as well, the water app that I’m using has calculated I need 2.8L/day and I’m only 5ft2, so I expect plenty of people should really be on 3+ litres. But the 3 week mark seems to be everyone’s plateau so keep the faith Smile

Well I’m having my first work packed lunch on fast800 and my bloody ‘hardboiled’ egg is only half boiled! Went to peel it and it’s all goopy. In the bin. So my salad is a bit sad without the egg (have feta and olives in it though). Another lesson learned!

Maccalenny · 21/05/2019 18:16

feelingforty - I have also spent many years eating as a response to everything. But I do think that I can retrain my brain to find a different way to respond. I’m sure you can too - but maybe some support with the low mood is needed too? Re the company photo - would they retake it if you asked them to? Rather than it causing you upset when you see it.

ohyes - the dreaded week three! I plateaued then too, then lost 5lb the week after. Don’t worry, it will get moving again.

seaside welcome back. Enjoy the happy scale app - it is fab!

phoenix - you have been so strong so far through your breakup, that to have other issues now as well must be so hard. Would it help if you read back over your posts when you first split...you were amazing at avoiding the carbs and coped so well. It might inspire you to keep going now .

Star - everything I eat during the week is packed...breakfast, lunch and tea. I’ve definitely got better at packing up meals! I’m lucky to have access to a microwave at work so I can have lots of leftovers.

I wore a new dress to work today and felt fabulous! I’m definitely going to spend time some getting my head round exercising over half-term, but in the meantime I’m not going to beat myself up about it any more.

StarJasmine · 21/05/2019 22:46

Packed lunches/dinners has always been difficult for me. It involves planning and organisation!

W1D6
B: yoghurt
L: sad egg salad without the egg Sad
D: chickpea fusilli with veg bolognese, cheese, and a keto roll (did very well baked/refreshed straight from the freezer, crusty and warm).
794cal

Did rubbish at drinking water at work today, and have now overcompensated by tanking up this evening and can’t sleep cos keep having to get up to pee!!! Doh!

StarJasmine · 21/05/2019 22:48

macca bet you looked fabulous too, new dress + feeling fab = usually looking happy and glowing :-)

Maccalenny · 22/05/2019 05:56

YAY new numbers for me this morning! Instead of leaving for work I’m staring at my happy scale. And telling everyone on here. I’m not 14 stone something any more!

Also I’m only 4 lb away from not being obese any more, which I’m very happy about too.

Have a good day everyone!

PhoenixMama · 22/05/2019 08:16

@macca WAY TO GO!!! That is so awesome! 💃🎉🎇👯‍♀️

So what a difference a day makes! I went to bed around 9:30 last night, had a decent night's sleep then woke up & went for a run. Feeling slightly more positive. Need to keep in mind how many different things are going on at once.

Did have a minor panic over the scales this morning as it said I was up over 5lbs - but got DD stand on and said the same for her so to the batteries out and was back heading in the right direction!

Have a great day everyone & thank you for your kindnesses!

boldlygoingsomewhere · 22/05/2019 08:24

Well done, Macca!

This is why I don’t weigh, Phoenix - my scales are old and I’m not sure they are trustworthy. I need to buy a decent new set but, for now, clothes fit will do.

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