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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 16

996 replies

thenewaveragebear1983 · 21/08/2019 21:26

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

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

<a class="break-all" href="http://go.mumsnet.com/?xs=1&id=470X1554755&url=caliberstrong.com/how-whooshes-impact-your-weight-loss/" target="_blank">information about the ‘whoosh’ phenomenon

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PhoenixMama · 01/10/2019 09:52

Thanks for your posts ladies - I'm back down a little bit but really want to control the constant drops to being low on Thursday, sky high on Monday. I'm going to look at lowering my carbs a bit more. My daughter's school has just done a huge anti-sugar push so I'm thinking that will be useful all round! I did so well the first 4 months it's frustrating now I'm not where I want to be. And I take your point Bear on having a natural weight but I'm still considered overweight with my BMI and my goal weight is a stone heavier than my smallest weight. I think I need to push on for a bit longer.

Going to give up booze completely for a couple of weeks, partly for this and partly because my job has seriously ramped up and I know it will make me even more tired than I currently am/are going to be. Which goes back to your sleep comment Bear... I think I'm getting the same amount of sleep but that will definitely drop off in the next few weeks probably not as much water either so I'll tweak that. I hated plateaus that lasted a week, 2 months is driving me crazy!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 01/10/2019 21:31

I'm trying to cut out drinking for a few weeks too Phoenix so we can support each other!

I've had a good day, fasted til around midday then had mushroom chilli, boiled egg and avocado; 2 sausages as a snack; lamb mince and veg for dinner - but I did have a small slither of cake while watching bake off. Not perfect but not too awful. I ran this morning, did 20k steps, and went to circuits.

I'm going to properly track my calories from tomorrow. Lunch will be a tuna frittata type thing, and dinner will be a chicken traybake. No run tomorrow, but lots of housework!

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thenewaveragebear1983 · 02/10/2019 20:49

Good evening all

A reasonable day 2 for me today, ending up on around 1200 cals, 45g carbs, 15k steps. I feel exhausted and very emotional, I cried today and basically couldn't stop which is very unlike me, I was properly blubbing. In a weird way it was quite cathartic though, although I do now have a stinking headache (which may be a touch of carb flu too?) so having a hot bath and early bed.

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maddenlightfoot · 02/10/2019 21:54

A good cry is soothing for the soul bear. Hope you've found some solace in bath and bed.

I work odd hours on a Wednesday and have been trying to work out over the past few weeks whether it's better to eat earlier or later. Today I've opted for a large meal around 1:30 and I won't eat again until tomorrow around 4pm. This will be my longest fasting period ever. Feeling ok at bedtime and usually don't feel hungry in the mornings now so should be ok.

My large lunchtime meal, however, although around 800 cals was completely not bsd as it included a bagel and chocolate cake 😂

PhoenixMama · 03/10/2019 14:30

OMG Madden I could never do that! I would be a ball of rage by lunchtime the next day. How'd you get on?

Bear - you've got a big week this week, sometimes it all catches up with us. Isn't your interview tomorrow? That might have something to do with it?

I'm down another lb, on track to be back at my lowest tomorrow before the weekend. Le sigh. My next two weeks are insane I'm travelling to Birmingham and back at least 4 times, mostly on the same day so I'm going to be shattered, which worries me eating habit wise but we'll see...

maddenlightfoot · 03/10/2019 16:04

😂😂 I cracked by 2pm and had a banana and am now sitting down to a big bowl of veggie stew with some gnocchi. I will weigh in the morning to see if it's had any effect but then off to Ikea for meatballs and chips for lunch 😋 (nutracheck says 650 calories for meatballs with mash and gravy so will just have to have a very tiny dinner but will be so worth it!)

TheHammaconda · 03/10/2019 16:10

Depressingly I have gained today but have also come on. Hoping that the weight gain is period related rather than actual fat being added to my body. 0.3kg heavier Sad

thenewaveragebear1983 · 03/10/2019 16:42

Phoenix yes it's tomorrow, plus tonight is my first PTA meeting as chairperson, and Sunday is my race so I am quite jittery with anxiety this week, plus due on in 2 days. It's a wonder i haven't ended up head first in a bar of galaxy.

I'm doing ok though. I've grazed a bit today, but only on ham and chicken and things like that, plus I did have 2 custard creams! I am making a really tasty veggie korma for dinner although I have omitted the squash from the recipe and replaced it with fish (so it's no longer veggie!)! Smells really good though, and I will serve it with cauliflower rice.

I'm not weighing myself yet, I'm hoping to just get back into the swing of it without the daily highs and lows. The real test will be the weekend, as I fully intend to not drink, but also I will need to eat some carbs on Saturday in prep for racing. Hopefully by Monday all my stresses will be resolved, my hormones will be settled, and I'll be able to have a really good week.

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Myzunicorn · 03/10/2019 17:36

Hiya

Not sure what I'm doing on here just yet and so many pages agh lol.

Basically I'm bedbound, have tried just about everything to lose weight, including going down to 700 calories...nothing! 🙄

I'm very overweight and I was told I must be insulin resistant sooooo I wondered, the 700cal diet I followed was obviously low fat and was done years ago before I had limited success with keto before the weight found me again (again for NO reason 🙄)

I'm thinking as this one isn't low fat, so higher fat dairy etc included , maybe it would be better for me than the other vlcd was? I don't have any problems sticking to anything to be honest so I wouldn't have a problem sticking to 800 calories (after all, I can't get to the fridge can I? Lol)

Hope this made sense, have big cognitive problems so maybe that was just bunch of words 🙄🤣 will get my carer to check it later

It's a hello from me, then, and I'll go back and read some previous posts

😁👍

thenewaveragebear1983 · 03/10/2019 17:47

Hi myzunicorn, you can't really lose anything by trying. Have you read the book? That would be my first suggestion, you could see what the plan's all about. The benefits of fasting and balancing your insulin have more far reaching effects than just calories in/out so you may find you have better results than just simply cutting calories.

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Myzunicorn · 03/10/2019 19:07

Hi

Have done 5:2 before

Can't read books. Just short messages really
💙

thenewaveragebear1983 · 03/10/2019 19:25

I wonder if it's available as an audio book yet?

Otherwise, the basic rules are in the opening post of this thread. Very very simply, it's:

No bread, rice, pasta, potatoes, cereals, flour
No sugar
Limit fruit

Eat fat- dairy, fat on meat, nuts, avocado, oil
Eat protein- lean meat, eggs,
Eat green veg, mushrooms, peppers, salad etc

I'd try this for a few days/ a week, before then trying to cut calories down.

Drink lots of water if you can

Who prepares your food? If it's someone else, could they read the book to help you?

Welcome to the thread
Smile

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Myzunicorn · 03/10/2019 19:44

It's basically keto then with a calorie restriction? My carers are used to making me keto meals. 👍

Bought some books, my carer can sort it

😁👍

Myzunicorn · 03/10/2019 19:46

My only problem is I can't swallow a lot of the time so I've bought some shakes. The lowest carb I could find that were classed as a meal not just protein iyswim

Myzunicorn · 03/10/2019 19:49

Listening to MM interviews on fast800 on youtube now. I eat 18 6 anyway most days so hopefully...fingers crossed.

I'll stop spamming now

🤣

thenewaveragebear1983 · 03/10/2019 22:00

I don't use bought shakes but I have heard that apparently slim fast are pretty good and recommended on the fast800 site.

You could make your own with almond milk, frozen berries, peanut butter, etc as a meal replacement?

It's pretty much keto but we are 'allowed' more carbs. This plan doesn't specifically aim to get you into ketosis, but if you drop the carbs low enough you might. Try aiming for 50g or less a day?

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maddenlightfoot · 04/10/2019 06:34

Good luck for your interview today bear 😊🤞 x

Myzunicorn · 04/10/2019 08:11

Oh god.

I typed a lot it's all disappeared 😢

Got slimfast coming today. Love smoothies but carers not very time to make things. Need todo lots personal care things.

Ty for messages

Good luck for interrrviw xxx

Myzunicorn · 04/10/2019 08:13

If I disappear a long while is because too ill to type btw. Used to use career to type for me but time too short.

As it happens been v ill overnight so I'm actually doing a nice clean water fast today.

Silver linings 😁👍

Everytimeiseeher · 04/10/2019 08:21

Just found this thread - hallelujah some great ideas to get me going. Thank you all.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 04/10/2019 09:23

Myzunicorn be mindful of smoothies with fruit as puréed fruit is pretty much the worst thing for your blood sugars. I would think of shakes as being more of a vehicle for fat and protein, so using high fat ingredients such as full fat yogurt, peanut butter, almond milk etc.

Welcome everytime!

There is a recipe thread link in the opening post which has some good ideas on too

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PhoenixMama · 04/10/2019 09:50

Good luck today Bear!

Too tired to weigh myself this morning. Ended up having pizza out with friends last night but had been pretty good and went for a run. Let's see what the weekend does!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 04/10/2019 20:06

Thanks all.

It did go well today, not brilliantly, but well enough. We'll see.

I'm having a day off today though. It's been a stressful week!

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Maccalenny · 05/10/2019 05:50

Welcome to new starters this week.

Bear enjoy the rest day and hope the race goes well.

Phoenix hope the pizza was nice! Think that might be my tea today.

I’ve had a good week this week - down another 2.2 lb. I’m getting into new territory here....the last time I was this weight was before the birth of my dd, and she is 14 next week! Im now less than a stone away from being a healthy bmi, which I never thought would be an option for me again.

Have a great weekend everyone!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 05/10/2019 10:54

Thanks macca

I'm around 2lbs down this week which is probably about right given yesterday went awry with celebratory wine and an almond croissant from Waitrose on my way home from my interview

Today I'm going to eat well but not be too strict on the carbs because of tomorrow. I'm then going to take a glorious full week off from running (I won't, but I plan to) to give my bones and muscles a well earned rest, so I am contemplating a full week of Fast800 alongside for a really good attempt to lose a few lbs.

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