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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 15

999 replies

thenewaveragebear1983 · 23/05/2019 07:34

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 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)
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 at 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.

Some useful links:

Previous thread

Blood Sugar Diet and Fast800 thread 14 http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/fasting_diet/3532374-blood-sugar-diet-and-fast800-thread-14

Meal planning ideas thread
Blood sugar diet recipe thread and menu planner 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

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Thread gallery
57
Maccalenny · 20/06/2019 17:49

Furforks that looks lovely now! Gorgeous dress and looks great on you.

Justalittlebitfurther · 20/06/2019 18:28

Thanks for all the encouragement!

Fur that dress is gorgeous!

Ohyesiam · 20/06/2019 20:44

Does anyone else feel that this way of eating involves an awful lot of weeing, and not a whole lot of pooing?

thenewaveragebear1983 · 20/06/2019 21:16

I've not had a great day, I think it was largely caused by having a shake for breakfast (which was low carb and on plan, but....) and then I've just been hungry all day. I have weighed and tracked everything but I'm waaaaay over any kind of kidding myself I've been on track today!

New day tomorrow. I'm going to try and fast til lunchtime to 'reset' myself, then maybe a treadmill/hiit workout as I'm home with Ds all day. PTA function in the evening, and then dinner after that so I should manage a decent day provided I remember to say NO to temptation!

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PhoenixMama · 20/06/2019 22:54

@FurForksSake That dress looks fab on you!

@Justalittlebitfurther I seem to plateau every 3 weeks,, almost like clockwork, then I have an ok week, then I whoosh. All I can suggest is loads more water and I've been using a magnesium spray which I swear helps.

@thenewaveragebear1983 Sorry you had a rubbish day - I hate it when I eat in the morning and it just makes me ravenous - so annoying.

I'm having a really hard week, not so much foodwise but big life stuff wise and I'm running on empty and my MH is suffering. Went to bed in tears at 9:15 last night . Feeling a bit better this evening but it's not going to get better any time soon. I wrote a list for a friend and there are 11 major life type things on there so I know WHY I'm so stressed (and some of it's good stress) but its definitely affecting me. Weirdly I haven't gone mental on food, and I think it's the training of the last few months. That and I'm 2lbs within my 2nd major goal!

Will try to check in more regularly - miss you ladies!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 21/06/2019 06:47

Phoenix that's not good, hope you are ok Thanksself care is so important. It's good that you aren't turning to food while you're troubled.

Do any of you find that now you don't just turn to the wrong foods at these times, sometimes it can leave the emotions a bit raw where once we turned to our 'safety net' and dulled them with food? I definitely do, I actually get urges to chew and feel stuffed with food?! It's like it's such an ingrained behavioural response to stress.

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PhoenixMama · 21/06/2019 08:35

You've totally nailed it Bear I think I'm suffering so much because I'm not taking the edge off with food, that sophorific slight haze that carbs bring. When I take medication to dull that frenzied, anxious feeling I'm really aware I'm making a conscious decision, but with food I wasn't aware that's what I was choosing to do. Now I'm choosing not to eat to eat those foods the knock on effect is that I've lost the emotional protection they provided.

Also, and this is weird but the end of June is historically a very hard month for me (with no logical reason) so part of me knows I just need to keep going!)

FurForksSake · 21/06/2019 09:20

I find June a really odd time of year. I have the apprehension of the school holidays, the knowledge that we are half way through another year and I’ve not achieved much and just odd foreboding.

I cracked last night and had a small packet of chocolate coated animal biscuits. Bit annoyed with myself, but could have been worse.

My weight has dropped a little, but still not back to the 10st13 I saw at the weekend.

Maccalenny · 21/06/2019 15:28

phoenix - try to look after yourself - sorry to hear things are tough.

Re emotional eating....I’ve felt like it a few time since starting this, but I haven’t yet. However, I still feel like I might at any time....I have no confidence in my ability to make good choices. Which I suppose is logical, having spent many years making all the wrong food choices. But it would be nice to feel like I have it under control, to really believe that I’m not going to put the weight back on this time.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 21/06/2019 15:38

Macca

"Re emotional eating....I’ve felt like it a few time since starting this, but I haven’t yet"*
*
"I have no confidence in my ability to make good choices."* *

You are literally demonstrating your ability to make good choices. You just aren't recognising it. Grin

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thenewaveragebear1983 · 21/06/2019 15:46

I probably consider 'bad choices I could make' ooooh, 10 times a day. I consider it a massive win Starwhen I don't succumb to them. That's it, that's you doing it, that's you keeping your weight off forever. I don't think I'll ever get the point where I don't ever think fantasise about all the bad food.
I'm not one for all the 'journey is the destination' crap, but every time you say no, that's you succeeding, even if later on you can't/won't/don't say no.

Currently in my kitchen I have so many cakes I've made for school- cupcakes, carrot cake, flapjack. Oh my god. No word of a lie, I've thought about eating one maybe 20 times today. I don't think I'll ever not want one, but knowing that I can resist them is so empowering.

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Maccalenny · 21/06/2019 16:41

Bear it’s weird isn’t it. I know you are right, I am demonstrating it, but because I’ve achieved it before, once for a couple of years, then returned to emotional eating and put all the weight back on, I’m a very long way from believing this time will be different.

Also, I have very little my house to tempt me. I’ve no idea how I would cope if I was creating lovely morsels like you do!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 21/06/2019 16:59

Macca when I had some hypno it really opened my eyes to the things I say to myself because they are TRUE, honest guv, absolutely true as true can be.
'I'm Bear and I can't eat just one square of chocolate'
'I'm Bear and if I eat even the tiniest amount of carbs I will have to have a full on binge because I'm weak and addicted'
'I'm Bear and I have rugby players legs' (yeah, thanks mother for that one)
'I'm Bear and when my period is due, or when I'm stressed, or tired, or sad, then I'm an uncontrollable food monster'

But y'know- they aren't actually true.

So....'I'm macca and this one time I lost loads of weight but then I put it back on so every time I lose any weight for ever then I'm just going to pile it back on the minute I take my eye off the ball, because I'm macca and that is a true fact about me and I have evidence and everything'.....Grin

Or....I'm macca, and one time I lost loads of weight and put it back on but that's because I didn't have a maintenance strategy, (but this time I do) and that's because I didn't change my habits (but this time I have) and maybe last time I never believed I could do it (but this time I do)

It sounds ridiculously simplistic, and yes, I am over simplifying it to make a point, granted. But think how you felt the day before you started this- bet you never thought you'd do this, and you have. It is completely possible for you, yes you, to do this and keep it off Smile(and you're already doing it!)

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Maccalenny · 21/06/2019 17:49

Bear thank you so much. I’m breaking out a new notebook now to write some positives. I think this will really help me....thank you. I think I needed this.

Justalittlebitfurther · 21/06/2019 18:29

This is really interesting because for me starting this just 3 weeks ago this is the first time I’ve ever noticed the difference between the physical sugar crash ‘need’ for food and the emotional ‘need’ for food when dieting. I have never been able to tell the difference before and I’m finding it hugely empowering.

I had a hard day today and ate some things I shouldn’t have, but I stopped myself from eating more (so I guess that’s a win!). For the first time ever I could def tell it was an emotional response to a hard day/week at school (work). And that’s why I was able to stop. That feels enormous to me!

Maccalenny · 22/06/2019 05:58

Morning all...the Saturday progress check! As expected, following an unfeasibly big loss last week, this week has been a bit of consolidation of that loss, and an overall small loss of 0.8lb.
Start: 16st8.4
End of Month 1: 15st3.6 - 18.8lb lost
End of Month 2: 14st11.2 - 6.4lb lost
End of Month 3: 14st0.4 - 10.8lb lost
End of Month 4: 13st5.0 - 9.4lb lost
Month 5 week 1: 13st4.2 - 0.8lb lost.

Blood sugar diet and Fast800 thread 15
thenewaveragebear1983 · 22/06/2019 07:12

Macca amazing work. I bet people are really noticing now? Are they begging to know your secret?!

Just I agree with you. I find this plan makes me so much more aware of how I use food to control my mood and makes me very in tune with my body.

I must confess all to the gods of BSD- yesterday did not end well. Let's just say it was neither sugar, dairy or alcohol free GrinToday however, is a glorious new day. I'm off to bootcamp at 8am and then we are going to buy a palm tree , then going to a hot air balloon festival. So, a picnic lunch, and probably steak and salad for dinner.

Enjoy the weekend all, finally we have some sunshine!

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Maccalenny · 22/06/2019 08:04

Bear that sounds like an amazing day!

People really noticed around the 2 stone lost point....probably when I had to move to different clothes. And yes, lots of questions about what I’m doing...I just say lower carb and not eating so much, rather than going into detail.
A huge non-scales victory today for me.....just had a wardrobe sort-out, and there is nothing there now that I’ve been hoarding for four years, stored away, hoping it will fit again one day. It either all now fits, or it is too big! I’m being really strict on getting rid of stuff that doesn’t fit, as I’m not going to be needing it again (bear, I’m listening to you and learning!) I have a pair of walking trousers that I was hoping to use this winter but they look silly on, I will have to get another pair.

Bear’s thoughts last night have really made me reflect. I’ve thought a lot about how I’ve changed....not just dress size. My work wardrobe was a collection of black and grey dresses - now it is full of colour. I wore the same black coat every day, which I never liked but it was practical. Now I wear one to match my outfit (I have a big weakness for coats) with a brooch to match (I have a big weakness for brooches) and a nice necklace (I have a....you get the idea). I’m using a bright, cheerful work bag, rather than boring black. I’ve coloured my hair. I am looking after my nails more. I am reading more and wasting time on the internet less. All this was always inside me, waiting to be let out again, once my confidence returned. So it’s not like I’m a different person..just the opposite......i’m much much more myself. And I really don’t intend to lose myself again.

PhoenixMama · 22/06/2019 08:19

Hello you lovely people! Well - it's finally happened! This morning the scale tipped under 180llbs and I am the lowest I've been since 2007! I'm slightly in shock because when I started this I really, really didn't think it would work. Then when I started losing I thought it wouldn't continue. And I thought I was physically incapable of not gaining weight when I was stressed - but this last week I've lost 3lbs being insanely stressed so that is also literally not true about myself!

Wanted to share my stats because although it's a constant stream downwards it's not been a linear journey!

Start: 217lbs (15.5 stone)

End of Month 1: 21 lbs lost - 196lbs (14st)

End of Month 2: 7lbs lost - 189lbs (13.5st)

End of Month 3: 4*lbs lost - 185lbs (13.2st)
*This was a frustrating month because I lost 3lbs in the first week, then went up 4lbs the next week and spent 2 weeks losing 5lbs) The loss difference between week 1 and week 4 is only 1lb because I kept yoyoing up and down.

Week 2 of Month 4: 6lbs lost - 179lbs (12.7)

Total weight lost: 46lbs (3.28 stone!)

Inches lost:
Waist: 6
Belly: 4
Hips: 3
Chest: 4
Bust: 5
Bicep: 2
Upper thigh: 2
Total inches lost: 23

But the biggest thing for me was that last week and this I haven't gorged myself on crap, and when I have eaten crap I've gotten straight back on the horse. Those are changes no diary can record and I'm so grateful for you ladies for helping keep me on track! xxx

Maccalenny · 22/06/2019 08:26

Phoenix that’s brilliant. Fabulous stats, and so good to hear you upbeat and managing the stress without a carb fest.....amazing stuff! Congratulations.

FurForksSake · 22/06/2019 10:08

Love seeing all the progress! Well done team!

I had naan bread, onion bhaji and mango chutney with my curry last night. And a butt load of dhal. This morning I feel sick and have been rather toilet bound. Weight isn’t up, so that’s something!

Today and tomorrow are going to be hard. Today we have to go to a very long scouting event. Food will be BBQ and not much else to choose from. Tomorrow we are going to see my family, I have managed to gear it so we aren’t there for a meal, but there will be cake.

I honestly have no idea how to negotiate either thing! I will be fasting until the bbq today and trying to just drink lots and lots of fluid. Tomorrow I am going to have a tiny lunch and small dinner to at least try and stick to 800 calories with a small slice of cake. I might see if I can take a packet of cake slices so I can know exactly what I am consuming.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 22/06/2019 21:49

Today's been a write off, absolutely zero healthy options at this balloon festival plus we ended up having two meals there as the wind delayed the balloons being flown so....basically a million calories, most of them carbs!

Oh well! I will get back on track tomorrow, i will make healthy low carb choices and not write the whole weekend off! Plus I am going to go back to my lovely calm state of sugar and dairy free, I enjoyed that last week!

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thenewaveragebear1983 · 23/06/2019 11:24

As predicted, a little gain this morning, well deserved!

I've just had a lovely brunch though- I made pancakes using oats and oat milk and an egg, (made 4 small pancakes) and had a sausage and a poached egg and mushrooms. Very tasty, especially after working up an appetite on my run!

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FurForksSake · 23/06/2019 11:58

Pancakes sound delicious!

I had a sausage and a burger, some potato salad and four custard creams yesterday. Totally off plan, but decent fasting and I was quite active so think it should be ok.

My weight is resolutely stuck at 11st 0.5lbs. I would like 3lbs off this week. I've booked four gym classes, hopefully I will be less knackered this week and manage them all!

Justalittlebitfurther · 23/06/2019 20:53

I went on a hen do yesterday that included afternoon tea, so this weekend had been a write off really. I have felt so unwell after eating sugar and carbs (and it wasn’t just the alcohol I’m sure!). It’s made me actually look forward to eating well tomorrow 😊

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