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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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Thread gallery
37
Fluffywithteeth · 18/10/2019 20:54

Mmmm cottage pie!! Just what you need Ona rainy autumn day.

Newaveragebear - I think your having the same lunch is such a good way to go (I will do it with egg whites plus 1 whole egg so I can eat more ).... what do you do for breakfast?

maddenlightfoot · 19/10/2019 12:01

😋cottage pie! Someone o know who was on 5:2 years ago used to make it with butternut squash topping - might be an idea?

I'm at my goal weight 🙌🙌, having lost 1st 11lb since August bank holiday. My target was to have lost this amount by Oct 25th so I've got a few more days to create a buffer ready for 🍷 and 🍳🍕🍔🧀🥐🥪 over half term!

I'm going to stick with the thread though as now I have to try and incorporate seasonal festivities (drinking, socialising and stolen bites). I'd like to now maintain up until the Christmas holidays. Hopefully by being on track during the week, treats can be allowed at weekends.

Fluffywithteeth · 19/10/2019 17:01

Omg maddenlightfoot- congratulations!! That’s amazing. Any thing you found particularly helpful in helping you stick with it?

I’m on day 3 now and delighted to be on a number beginning with 6 not 7! So at 69.4. And managed to go the gym today and yesterday (although my efforts very feeble 😔)

What did you all lose in your first week and how much in average after?

Maccalenny · 19/10/2019 18:49

madden that’s brilliant, well done!

I really like celeriac on a cottage pie. Turnip would be nice too....I’m turnip in everything at the moment!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 19/10/2019 19:57

I like celeriac too but I never get a smooth enough mash with it. I also like peas mashed, we call it 'hulk mash' in our house!

Today has been a freaking disaster. I drank too much last night, slept terribly, woke early and have craved (and succumbed to) sugar all day. I Feel rubbish as well now.

Today is irredeemable so I will just have to start with a clean slate tomorrow and hope for a better day

I'm planning to run 10k at some point tomorrow though so that should help. If I can fast for the morning I could have a good low carb day to offset today.

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FurryTurnipHead · 19/10/2019 20:07

Well done to everyone doing well. Fluffy sounds like you've got off to a great start. I feel slightly fraudulent as you congratulated me for my first weeks loss, and I have since fallen dramatically off the wagon.

We've had a sudden death in the family, no one close to me specifically, but everyone is just reeling from it, and my DH has had to drop everything and fly across the world. And so I've fallen into a massive vat of carbs. Pizza, pasta, crisps, chocolate. I've done them all. Big style. And I feel dreadful for it. Sick, headachy and bloated.

So I'm posting here for a kick up the bum. Going to get back on it tomorrow. I can't make excuses for myself. I shall draw a line under last 48 hours and crack on!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 19/10/2019 21:13

Furry I'm sorry to hear that, hope your Dh is ok Thanks

You and me both need a kick up the bum tomorrow so we can support each other!

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FurryTurnipHead · 19/10/2019 21:33

Let's do it Bear. I've got plenty of good food in, so no excuses. I'm aiming for an eggy day to keep me full and so I don't have to think much, and hope it will get me back on track.

Maccalenny · 20/10/2019 05:38

Bear and Turnip, hope the day today is easier for you both.

I’m on half term for the next two weeks and plan to try out some new recipes. I made a really nice spicy chickpea stew yesterday to start me off, with leftovers for today. Today may be a chicken casserole in the slow cooker.

maddenlightfoot · 20/10/2019 09:06

Morning! Sorry I posted yesterday then disappeared! I actually went out visiting and to a family party so needless to say I'm up +lb this morning 😂😂 - but I still feel like I can be in control today and over the working week to lose that. Things that have worked for me...
No alcohol (not sustainable for me longterm so might have a big knock-on effect next term)
Not eating after 6pm. In fact I feel really full and have very weird dreams if I eat later now.

Not counting milk in tea as breaking fast - I couldn't get through the morning without tea!!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 20/10/2019 09:24

Morning all. I had a really good sleep last night which I hope will set me off on the right track today. I daren't weigh myself though, it's been a pretty shocking weekend!
Madden I don't count milk either (although I do track the calories) but like you, I need my coffee to function.

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Ohyesiam · 20/10/2019 15:59

Hello Bear and everyone,
I used to post on here last spring and summer. I lost 2.5 stone for my wedding in July , and my plan was to maintain over the summer and come back to lose another stone starting in September. I think you can see where this is going...

Anyway I’m really looking forward ( in concept at least) to starting again TOMORROW!
I’m planning 1200 low carb calories , might throw in the off 800 when m on a roll.
I’ve not read this new thread yet, but I’ll have a look round tonight.

All the best x

Maccalenny · 20/10/2019 17:52

Hi ohyes great to have you back here! How was the wedding and how was your summer? Welcome back.

Ohyesiam · 20/10/2019 18:33

Maccalenny you’re so lovely, thanks for the welcome.
The wedding was beautiful, I felt totally surrounded by love for the whole day❤️. Then a gorgeous 6 weeks of festivals and holidays in the Scottish highlands, camping with a big beautiful bunch of old friends. Lots and lots of swimming in the sea, and Scottish Lochs and rivers. Heaven.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 20/10/2019 19:31

Ohyes that sounds idyllic. Welcome back!

Today's been ok but not brilliant. I did a fast 6.5km this afternoon and have eaten well but then did have a piece of carrot cake so...,

Looking forward to a good week though. A chance to get a few good Fast800 days in I think before half term rolls round and the dc are off (again!)
I'm going to go for my streamlined method, eggs for lunch, 500 cals dinner, lots of veg, lots of water. It works quite well if I can get myself into it.

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Fluffywithteeth · 20/10/2019 20:50

Ohyes- that just sounds fantastic! And well done for losing all of that for the wedding

Days off the wagon are just to be expected I reckon ..... as you’ve said Bear and Macalenny- you just have to not getting too down and hop back on

Down to 68.6 today and 2 (v lightweight) trips to the gym

I know it’s all water but I already feel marginally less revolting! 😁

Maccalenny · 21/10/2019 04:37

Ohyes it sounds the most blissful wedding and extended honeymoon ever. Congratulations.

Fluffy well done, particularly on two gym trips! I’ve still not managed to build a regular exercise routine in and it is my constant moan to myself.

Bear - just curious, as you are much further into the ‘fitting this way of eating into normal life’ part than me......do you aim to weigh and measure food every day? Do you have a number of days each week when you aim for 800? Are there some foods that remain strict no-no, or are you more ‘everything in moderation’ now?

I would like to lose another stone or just less, but am happy plodding there slowly at half or one pound a week. I’ve stuck to some principles of the diet.....no sugar, no wheat (which gives me a massive bellyache now so no hardship there) low carb, I try not to eat between meals and not if I’m not hungry. I do struggle more at holiday times...and I have a two-week half term starting today....so am not expecting to lose over the next two weeks.
I do have some regular treats now, or things that have crept in that were not on the 800 plan. I have a couple of squares of dark chocolate most days. I drink a lot of coffee with a lot of full-fat milk....so much so that I’m going to see if I can swap to an almond milk to lower the carbs a bit. I don’t weigh food now or count calories. But if I really fancy something....like a weeks-worth of potato-cottage-pie or ikea meatballs and mash, which will be happening this week sometime....I feel quite confident that I can do that without the ‘sod that then, I’m eating the whole kitchen’ feeling.

I think the daily weight check helps me loads....keeps me accountable.

How are other people managing.....or planning to manage.....the maintenance, or the after-800 slower loss? It is a real issue for me as I’ve been here, or very nearly here, 5 years ago and put it all back on and then some. I remain a little paranoid that it will happen again when I’m not looking. Which is why this thread is so great - checking in here definitely helps me stay accountable.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 21/10/2019 07:33

Maccalenny I am struggling at the moment with my maintenance plan if I'm being entirely truthful. I aim to keep to the principles of the plan, and to have maybe 1200 cals a day, relax a bit at weekends, an occasional few days at 800 cals to keep in check.

The reality is that I run, a lot, and that pretty much keeps my weight stable with a combination of some days very good, and some days absolutely diabolical. I would love to get back to a nice calm regime like I mention above. Recently I have had far more than is good for me of flour, processed meat, and sugar and oh boy do I feel it! I still as a rule have no potato, pasta, rice ever, but conversely the carbs that I do have tend to be the sweet treat stuff not the mealtime stuff.

It's the running unfortunately. The week I didn't run, I stuck to 800-1200 cals every day. I need to work out a way that I can have the calories without the carbs and actually stick to it. I'm currently around 6lb heavier than my lowest and am still not anywhere near my target (ideally 9.10/9.11)

The stupid thing is, I know this works for me and if I have a great week I lose a fair chunk of weight, but then I can't keep it up over the weekend. I go completely the other way at weekends. If I could just do a few weeks where I achieve week and weekend success I'd probably be at target again!

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Peachypips78 · 21/10/2019 10:18

Hi everyone- can I join?

I too have lost weight in the past with various diets and have put it back on. I am now the heaviest I have been apart from immediately after birth.

I have tried 5.2 and it hasn't worked as I can't control myself around carbs and the weight loss was just too slow. I want to stick to the 8-12 weeks, get the weight off then follow a really intentional maintenance plan so I don't put it back on- I'm so fed up with being overweight.

My plan is to follow the menu for the 12 weeks. I need to lose around 3 stone- I am currently 13 stone ish but am 5'2" so it isn't a good look. My maintenance plan is to initially do the Med diet all the time with three days a week at 800 cals. If I continue to lose then I'll think about reducing it to two days per week. I will weigh every day starting next Monday.

I'm starting by giving up carbs for the next five days then moving to 800 cals.

Peachypips78 · 21/10/2019 10:19

Oh and I rtft last night- it took ages!!!!

MozzchopsThirty · 21/10/2019 10:33

Hello all, how is everyone doing??

I'm back on it today after a holiday followed by a cold I have stuffed my face and gained 2.5kg back on Sad but no one to blame but myself

So fasting & exercise before next holiday in 4 weeks 🙈

thenewaveragebear1983 · 21/10/2019 11:35

Welcome peachy, that sounds like a good plan and it does help I find to do the carb detox before cutting the calories. Make sure you get plenty of fat in and you'll be fine!

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Fluffywithteeth · 21/10/2019 12:04

Welcome Peachy! That sounds good and agree with Bear, good to give up carbs first without worrying about calories, and then do both the no cards and the cals

Bear i really empathise. I find myself able to keep a steady momentum and then things slip a bit and it's a snowball effect. Usually I'm quite a heavy exerciser and i think that means I get away with inconsistency in my diet.... but that is not a good thing! Today down to 68.4 - the first day when I've felt tempted to cheat (this is day 5 of 2 shakes during day and evening meal). Next week we're away for ½ term and I do worry about how to keep on track when we're all together and I have to manically check the menu of everywhere we might go for a diet option..... But I really want to just do the 2 weeks of 800 to try and get a significant way towards my 63kg goal because i think my personality better suits extremes!

Maccalenny i htink it's brilliant you've got the slow and steady approach and you're happy to do it that way. From what i read, most slim people incorporate some weekly measure of very low calories to stay on target - 1 or 2 days per week......

Mozzchops - sounds like a great holiday!! 4 weeks sounds like a good amount of time to tae off that 2.5kg......

Well writing all that has removed the temptation to go and raid the fridge.....!!!

Have a good day everyone :)

Maccalenny · 21/10/2019 16:45

Peachy welcome and Mozzchops welcome back!

Fluffy - your comment about one or two properly low-calorie days has got me thinking. I know there are loads of health benefits to the odd really fasting day. I used to do proper fasts...or at least only water and herbal tea.....from lunchtime to lunchtime a couple of times a week. I did not find it hard to do physically, once used to it, but weirdly it used to make me anxious. I’m wondering if that would be less of a problem now I’m back to low carb. Might be worth a go.

Maccalenny · 21/10/2019 17:01

Bear - you have lost so much and maintained for so long.....you are our inspiration! I know you will find your way back to something that feels more in control. If you upped your higher carb but ok food on running days, might it help you avoid the sugar? You could indulge in oats, or brown rice, or potato maybe? If your body is craving the carbs, it might help you stay feeling in control.

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