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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 · 05/10/2019 23:51

I've got a friend staying from the states and we've been eating out a lot. She was last here 3 months ago and is sure I've lost weight even though I really haven't so at least there's that.

Will weigh in tomorrow but not expecting any losses (already fallen back on the booze!)

Good luck with the race Bear!

northwooddown · 06/10/2019 00:06

Good luck on the race Bear. So amazing- I remember a couple of years ago (?) when you got your treadmill and got on it for the first time. And now look!
I've been up and down this week 10.7-10.12 back and first. My Graig is like I've electrocuted. But... will get back on the thread and head back in the game after tomorrow is over. Big lunch out so a right off. But will fast and run in the morning.
It'll be yet another Monday of starting again, again, again... on repeat! Sigh

northwooddown · 06/10/2019 00:07

Graig? That should have been "graph".

thenewaveragebear1983 · 06/10/2019 19:00

Ah north, yes it was jan 2018 I think, I remember doing ten minutes and being properly gym-sick afterwards. I don't know what made me get back on the next day, but I am so glad I did! Official times are in for today : 52.04 and came 217/958 which I'm very pleased with.

I'm going to have a full 5 days off running now, at least. Remind me if this when I start getting antsy in the week. I'm giving my bones a rest.

Menu is planned for a good week of Fast800. I've streamlined somewhat with a daily 'allowance' of 2 eggs, 1tbsp olive oil, 100g alpro yogurt, 50g berries and my milk. This totals around 300-400 cals. Then my evening meals will be 400/500 cals. I find streamlining in this way cuts out a lot of the thinking, I can do my eggs differently for variety and I can have my yog as a shake or as a pudding, but essentially it's all counted and tracked already. I expect the first few days to be quite hungry so I have a list of boring domestic things I need to tick off this week for when I feel peckish!

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FurryTurnipHead · 07/10/2019 07:26

Hi, please can I join you all? I popped up a few months ago, with good intentions, then slipped away quietly when it all went to pot! I weighted in this morning at 12.1 stone, and that new stone bracket has really bothered me. Want to get down to 10.10, and need to be accountable somewhere.

Perimenopause symptoms are kicking in thick and fast so if I don't do something about the weight now I fear it will only get worse. I might put my menu down on here for a few days just to keep me focused and to get any tips from all of you. Today may not be great, got back late last night from weekend away, not much food in house and busy day at work ahead, but shall try!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 07/10/2019 07:44

Welcome furryturniphead!

I felt absolutely wired last night, went to bed at 10 but was still awake at 12.40 which is not a goOd start, but anyway. I'm still ready for action and raring to go! Sort of

School run, supermarket, walk to club with Ds this afternoon. I didn't weigh this morning as I couldn't face it after this weekend, I'm using my highest previous weight of 10.12 because I'm in denial as my starting weight. Fasting as long as possible today as well.

I'm feeling quietly optimistic though, I am looking forward to seeing what a week properly on track will do!

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PhoenixMama · 07/10/2019 10:35

Bear that is an amazing time! Well done! You are amazing!

I was not shockingly high this morning, maybe 2lbs up which is fab. Trying to go really low carb this week but busiest week in a long time!

Let's see!

Peridot1 · 07/10/2019 10:46

Hello - can I join you please? Starting today at 16st 2.5 lbs.

This time last year I had lost weight calorie counting and was 14st 8. Pretty annoyed with myself.

I’m going to Australia in five weeks and want to lose as much as I can before then. And I don’t want to have to buy bigger clothes!

Menu is planned for today and I will plan for the rest of the week.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 07/10/2019 18:12

Welcome peridot, I recognise your name have you done this before?

I'm closing up the kitchen a little over 800 (on 1100) but only 30g carbs which is very good for day 1! I would have made it in on budget but I got a mid afternoon slump and ate some chicken and a boiled egg to keep me going. I've done 12k steps (no run)

Tomorrow I am invigilating an exam in the morning so I most likely won't eat until I get home when I'll have my eggs. Dinner tomorrow is a beef casserole with lots of winter veg.

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Peridot1 · 07/10/2019 21:46

Hi thenewaveragebear - no I haven’t done it before although may have posted on previous threads. I was going to try it a couple of years ago but didn’t for a few reasons. I tend to swing from one diet to another to be honest. Am determined to stick to this for the next five weeks before I go away though!

Brugmansia · 08/10/2019 08:17

Hello
Another new starter here. I started last Wednesday. I was 11st 8, as I'm only 5' 1" that makes me obese. I'm struggling to stay at 800, but generally 900-1000. Yesterday i managed 800, so hopefully it will get easier as i carry on.

This morning I was 11st 4.2, which I think means I'm just out from being obese. I'm aiming to get to under 9st 6, which would be back into a healthy weight.

One query I have is whether anyone else has an under active thyroid? I was diagnosed in July and have been on medication since. At my last appointment a few weeks ago my medication was increased slightly, so I still may not be at the right level. I discussed with my GP trying to lose weight and she said to try but recommended the usual slow loss approach. I hadn't come across this approach at the time so couldn't ask her about it. I'm thinking it should be ok for a short time and then move to 5:2. If I start to get any odd side effects to up my calorie intake. Any thoughts?

PhoenixMama · 08/10/2019 10:09

Welcome newbies!

Morning all - back in my lowest range this morning which is weird but I'll take it.

I'm beginning to think dairy might be making my weight fluctuate more. I had a couple of weeks with higher dairy content and then the last 5 days have been lower and I've been losing...

@thenewaveragebear1983 I know you tweaked your dairy - when did you know to do it?

thenewaveragebear1983 · 08/10/2019 11:47

Phoenix I didn't really give it up for health reasons, it was more ethical I suppose (although I did sort of hope I would lose some lbs!). I've done since mid-June now with only very occasional chocolate or milk and no cheese or yogurt at all (which I never thought I would manage to be honest) . Since doing it though I've read a fair bit about it and it seems that lactose breaks down into glucose so it would make sense that it would affect blood sugars, and that some people are particularly sensitive to it.

All that being said, I can't believe how much better I feel after giving it up. The 3 days detox was the worst I've ever experienced in my many years of 'giving up stuff', but after that I just felt lighter and brighter- I can't explain it. For the first time since getting my fitbit 2 years ago, I am going into deep sleep more than once a night most nights (except when I eat dairy!) and I noticed the other day that I hadn't had a bad flare up of rosacea either in a very long time.

Diet wise though, I wouldn't say I miss it, i haven't noticed any significant gains or losses that I would attribute directly to it, and I do find that I'm not getting enough fat in some days (as yogurt and cheese were probably 75% of my fat intake)

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thenewaveragebear1983 · 08/10/2019 20:46

Closing up the kitchen today on 835 cals, 51g carbs, 14k steps (including a circuits class)

That's pretty much the first proper Fast800 day I've done in a long time.

Tomorrow I have a sports massage at 12 so I will need to eat something light beforehand. Dinner will be my current favourite, sausages and an Eastern European celeriac hash with sauerkraut (remember I made sauerkraut a few weeks ago? Well I found it today in the cupboard!)

Hope everyone's doing ok? Smile

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PhoenixMama · 09/10/2019 13:33

I forgot to weigh this morning it was so early when we got up lol. Life is at a crazy pace for the next two weeks but think I'm doing ok. Out for a totally sinful dinner today so def won't be counting cals! Will be better tomorrow!

FurryTurnipHead · 09/10/2019 16:00

Newbie checking in on day 3. Going ok so far I think, I've not got as low as 800 yet but am around 950-1000 which I'm not going to beat myself up about, I'd rather ease myself in and keep going for longer. Have also learnt the hard way that I need to be much more organised and meal plan a bit more--having a hectic week and shopping doesn't come until tomorrow, so am eating some random stuff! Need to plan to avoid weekend disasters. Some really helpful advice in this thread so thanks!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 09/10/2019 18:55

Furry it's all a learning curve. I think this diet tests out what we think we know about food, and even if you're not getting as low as 800 cals you will be improving your insulin function and getting other benefits. Well done!

I am closing up the kitchen today on 1200 cals, about 75g carbs (lots of veg today), 14k steps (no run, that's day 3). Had a sports massage today so I feel like I've run a marathon. My foods been generally good, I did graze a little bit this afternoon out of boredom more than anything. I found out today I got the job I applied for so we are having a glass of wine (that's counted in the 1200 cals though)

Tomorrow I am baking, 150 Halloween cakes and cookies for the PTA- that's always a challenge. My food is planned although my aim is to get another Fast800 day in and I find it easier when baking to not eat at all until finished so that's my plan. Lunch will be my 2 eggs and possibly some avocado, dinner will be chicken in wine sauce with lots of veg.

I was planning to weigh in tomorrow but as we're having Wine I might wait til Friday morning instead

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maddenlightfoot · 09/10/2019 20:23

Well done bear!! Huge congratulations - well deserved wine!

I haven't had wine for 7 weeks - counting down the days til half term (I'm a teacher, I work in terms 😂) also only 3lbs to go til target weight and got 2.5 weeks to do it.

The hardest part for me is going to be what happens next term, once I'm drinking again and loosening the diet-strings so to speak 😂.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 10/10/2019 07:09

I have weighed in this morning and I'm 10.5.5 which means I've lost a whopping 7lbs so far this week! That's crazy. Mostly water I know, but still it shows how much water I actually retain. I think it's a combination of resting and not running, obviously the fast800 and lower cal days have helped, maybe even my massage yesterday has helped flush me out? I don't know- but I'm pleased with that anyway and hopefully it will motivate me now over the weekend.

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Maccalenny · 10/10/2019 19:20

Bear congratulations on the race, the job and the loss!

justbeingelle · 10/10/2019 20:09

Made a meal plan and getting lots of yummy fresh and low carb food delivered tomorrow, ready to start Saturday 😊 any tips or tricks or is there anything anyone would think would be helpful to know when just beginning? TIA!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 10/10/2019 20:49

I haven't counted calories today but I haven't really eaten much- 2 sausages this morning, chicken for dinner with shredded sprouts and bacon, and during the day I just nibbled a few bits, so probably a reasonable day.

Fast800 is unlikely tomorrow- i have a pta function In the evening so I will need wine afterwards! I am going to venture out for a short run tomorrow, I miss it too much- and I've had 4 days rest which has been very nice.

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Maccalenny · 12/10/2019 05:02

justbeingelle welcome. The main thing to remember is that this absolutely works! So stick with it.
I found that filling up on salad was good in the early days, when you plate looks a bit empty.
Protein and fat are your friends....especially protein as the calories are lower. Both will keep you full. Keep carbs as low as you comfortably can, without getting too obsessed with it, as you will experience much less hunger if your carbs are low.
One of the hardest bits is working out how to fit it in around family eating and social stuff. Try to have a plan.
If you are happy to weigh and motivated by numbers, take some measurements and weigh regularly, and find a nice app to make you lovely graphs! They are very motivating. You will probably need an app to lo food too...I use nutracheck. I think a lot of others use fitness pal.
I found it a great diet for avoiding the ‘ I’ve blown it now so am just going to eat everything in sight today and start again tomorrow’ feeling. As calories are so low, even if you go over, you are probably still below TDEE. And even if you are over, you won’t put on loads of fat in one day, the glycogen stored due to carb intake falls after a day or two and you are back on track.
Try new foods....cauliflower, celeriac and turnip all make great potato substitutes. I had a slow-cooker beef stew with turnip last week and I would have sworn it was potato in there.
Hope some of my ramblings are useful....good luck!

Maccalenny · 12/10/2019 06:01

I was reflecting a bit on what has changed in my eating habits since doing this diet...three months of 800 cals, then four months so far on low carb, 1000-1200 cals.

Typically,
-I Don’t eat if I’m not hungry.
-I Sometimes don’t eat if I am hungry if the right thing is not available, or I’m busy. Because I’m not scared of being hungry any more.
-I don’t eat until I feel over full. I don’t like that feeling any more.
-I don’t feel obliged to eat for social reasons. It’s been my dd’s birthday this week - two birthday cakes, a pizza party....not even tempted.
-when I make some food, previously I would have piled it all on my plate, eaten enough, then a bit more, and probably polished off the whole lot. Now I make food, put a sensible amount on my plate and keep the rest for a second meal later. Leftovers are lifesavers!
-I have the odd off-plan item, but it doesn’t lead to random cupboard-cruising. I feel like I might have learned an understanding - finally and after so many failed diets- that if I go back to eating as I did, I will go back to 16 stone. I really don’t want that.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 12/10/2019 07:01

Yesterday went a bit awry unfortunately, with a hot dog and a cake and some wine. I didn't run in the end; I had promised myself this week and it was raining so I didn't, although I am starting to get itchy feet! It is amazing though how much calmer my appetite is this week, and how I haven't had these mad moments of eating. Even when I had the cake yesterday, I was ok with 1, it felt far too sweet- previously it might have flicked the sugar switch for me. I did a 30m YouTube hiit workout instead and I am aching today.

Despite my unscheduled feast yesterday, i weighed in this morning at 10.7 which is about 5lbs off, so I really do want to continue with that and remain on track this weekend.

Today, I'm off to bootcamp in the dark in a bit, then we are going to MIL's for lunch which I'm hoping will be possible to manage BSD style, eg, ham and salad, no bread. A walk along the canal if it's dry, and then dinner will be a nice duck breast (never cooked duck before?!) with veg . I'm not sure it will fall under 800 cals, but could well be under 1200 which is good for me.

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