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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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thenewaveragebear1983 · 27/10/2019 19:14

Had a good day food wise though, not really eaten much. For dinner I did a chicken curry so I had about a tbsp of rice and half a mini naan bread, but overall I think my calories and carbs have been ok today and probably under 1000 cals.

Went for a 5km run with Dh as well.

Tomorrow I will try and fast as long as possible, then will aim for a nice low carb day- eggs for lunch, not sure for dinner as I need to go shopping. I have 3 new recipe books from the charity shop: hairy bikers, Rachel Khoo French, and Nigella, so the menu could be erm....interesting this week!

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Fluffywithteeth · 27/10/2019 19:47

bear sending you virtual hug. I really really empathise. I know for myself 70kg and I’m a full self-loathing. 65-70 just disgust. 63-65. Feel like I’m kidding others but not myself. And I really know this is quite f***up. I’m quite together, few people would any inkling how much brain space this all takes. But I know it’s only when I’m sub 63 that I feel I mentally liberated.... but even knowing that doesn’t stop me from sabotaging myself! Great job on food and run today .... and amazing in the cake!!

peachy well done!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 27/10/2019 20:30

Fluffy I know, it's crazy how much thought I give this. I mean, realistically I am five pounds heavier than when I was at my lightest on this diet. Five. That's nothing. I think though, because those five send me teetering to the brink of the next stone, and because I feel like I'm really out of control (ie it's not like I'm eating healthy and gaining muscle) it scares me. I don't think I'll ever cure my food demons but when I was really 'on plan' I barely thought about it.

I am a classic example of self sabotaging- but I know when I am strong I am super strong! I think I just really need a kick up the bum!

I will be strong though! I think because I have lots of external stress with new job and various other things that I can't find the energy to fight food too.

Right- going to sit now and plan my menu for the week!

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Fluffywithteeth · 27/10/2019 21:10

bear you absolutely will get there - and a menu plan is brilliant way of tuning into your intent. 5lbs.... I know this is a bit American , but what would you say to your daughter/sister..... this is what we need to say to ourselves. This week is gonna be tough because half term and away. But am really going to try and be kind to myself (without eating crap!)

thenewaveragebear1983 · 27/10/2019 21:35

Thanks fluffy, you can do it too! It's silly, just writing that shopping list and I'm thinking to myself- i haven't eaten a salad in over a week (was having one every day) and I was really stuck in a rut as well with my meals. So I've got a few nice things planned now. I'm going to make a Nigella meat loaf to have sliced with lunches, and a few evening meals that I've never had before.

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thenewaveragebear1983 · 28/10/2019 20:37

I've had a good day today, the best day I've had for a long time. I've had no carbs except veggies (made butternut and pepper soup and then with dinner I had half a plateful of cabbage, peas and broccoli. I feel like I've had a good healthy day today! Ran 5km, did 15k steps.

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Peachypips78 · 28/10/2019 21:26

I think there's a lot of sense in making new dishes so you have something to look forward to. I'm having a lot of unusual things this week! Well done for getting stuck back in.

Day three complete. Am very hungry today- much more than yesterday. Will go to bed early I think! I'm weirdly finding it much easier to do 800 a day than 500 twice a week, which didn't work anyway as I'm such a piglet!

Peachypips78 · 28/10/2019 21:27

And... my skin is really improving from the lack of sugar.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 29/10/2019 20:37

That's good peachy. My skin is awful right now from my poor diet and all the dairy I've consumed last week, although I think that's it working its way out of my system. I notice my rosacea flares up when I eat dairy so I have a few blisters on my cheeks as well.

Today has been as expected- food good, but I did enjoy a generous slice of birthday cake earlier. From Tomorrow though I should be able to fully focus. I'm going to run first thing then going pumpkin picking and carving at a local farm, so probably won't eat til after that. Lunch will be salad, dinner will be mince of some sort.

I was very tempted to stand on the scales today but I resisted. I'm very scale oriented and I'm trying to be less so as I don't think it really helps me as I use it as a barometer of my entire life when it's actually just my weight!

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thenewaveragebear1983 · 30/10/2019 07:48

My plans for today have changed somewhat as my dear old tomcat has taken a turn in the night, so I'm currently sat on the floor with him waiting for the vets to open at 8.30. I imagine he'll be PTS, he's very old.

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Peachypips78 · 30/10/2019 11:24

Oh that's terribly sad- he must be very loved if you've had him for a long time. Thanks

I'm the same- I use the scales as a measure of my self-assurance which is very wrong! My confidence in all areas suffers when I am overweight and I need to work on this.

Pumpkins sound fun. I'm feeling hungry and fed up today on day 5. I just want more food! Have had my new fav of eggs and avo with olive oil and pink salt.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 30/10/2019 12:30

Thanks peachy, yes the old boy was very loved, he had a very long innings.

I'm still on track today, had a handful of nuts and a spoonful of peanut butter as a quick breakfast and will have salad and cold meat for lunch. I would still like to run today although that will now have to be later once Dh gets home and I may not feel like it once it's cold and dark.

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Maccalenny · 30/10/2019 15:16

Bear so sorry to hear about your cat. Hope you and the family are all ok.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 30/10/2019 19:47

Macca thanks. We're ok. I feel a bit silly being so sad about a cat but he's been a constant in my life for a very long time (he predates Dh!) and I will really miss him

Anyway. My foods been ok though today. Salad lunch, Had hairy bikers stroganoff for dinner which was really nice, with veg. Few sausage rolls and nibbles during the day.

I've made nigellas mini meatloaf recipe which I have divided into muffin tins so I have 18 of them, some frozen, for lunches and snacks. I can take them out of the freezer individually as well which is helpful. I am going to be a bit more strict from tomorrow, starting with a fast for the morning at least, then counting calories and carbs which I've been a bit sloppy with recently.

12k steps today, 6 of that was a run though!

Tomorrow will be a better day I'm sure

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Maccalenny · 31/10/2019 05:46

Bear don’t ever feel silly for mourning and missing your cat - anyone who has pets knows exactly how you are feeling.

The mini meatloaves sound good. I want to get a little stricter on my weekday eating when I’m back at work after the holiday and start counting calories and carbs a bit again, so I need some new recipe ideas. My weight has been fairly steady for the last month, and I do want to knuckle down and shift my final stone. Ideally I’d like to do it gently, and before the end of February, as that marks a year since I started fast800. So I’m aiming to lose around a lb each week. I haven’t really done 800, or monitored calories and carbs very closely since about June, so I need to do some planning and prep over the next few days to be ready for Monday.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 31/10/2019 19:34

Today's not exactly gone as planned, I've eaten reasonable meals but did just have a few squares of dark choc and I haven't calorie counted or carb counted as promised. Silly to start on the last day of a month though, right? 1st of the month is the perfect day for a relaunch I reckon! Done 25k Steps though, including a run.

I reckon overall I've ended October around 3lbs lighter than I started, which isn't terrible and considering the entire month has been an all
Out write off it's not bad at all.

I really want to get my head back in gear for November. I need more sleep, less wine. And a lot fewer carbs. I need to get all the crap out of my house because if it's there I can't resist it.

I'm not going to dwell on it or beat myself up about it; just get myself back on track. I will plan to fast tomorrow as long as possible, then eat a light lunch. I'm going out tomorrow with dd to see a musical so hopefully will avoid the wine tomorrow.

If I could lose 2lb a week during Nov that would be a great boost before the festive season begins and I gain it all back again

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maddenlightfoot · 01/11/2019 07:28

Just a quick mid-week check in to stay accountable! I've put on around 3lbs so far this hols which is great considering how much I've indulged!

I'm in the middle of a long fast, not planned but just realised I could fit it in between commitments this week (finished a lunch date yesterday by 1pm and eating again with friends at lunch today).

My god how hungry I was last night! Makes me realise how much fasting stamina id built up and how easy it is to lose it again.

Peachypips78 · 01/11/2019 11:08

Well done for recommitting Bear. Food is such a bloody nightmare. It's a drug that you can't give up! I'd like to lose 2lbs a week until Christmas so we'll stay accountable.

When you run, can you manage it on only 800 cals?

Madden- I agree about fast stamina. I really had it when I did 5:2 but have lost it a bit now.

I caved last night at Halloween and ate a piece of Dorset apple cake, two sausages and some sweets Sad

Maccalenny · 02/11/2019 11:06

Planning my 800 days for next week - I’m cooking a fish pie for my main meal which will be about 350cals per portion. I will have a salad each day with a tin of mackerel in sauce, which will be about 330 cals. This leaves me enough for a snack or additional small meal - couple of boiled eggs, sliced cheese with marmite and cucumber, or a chia and flaxseed chocolate pudding. I’ve made these a few times recently - they need planning in advance but are filling and very nutritious. I make them with tbsp chia seeds, half tbsp ground flax, half tbsp cacao powder, and about 200ml almond milk. It needs to soak for a good few hours and is nice hot or cold. About 110 cals and 6g carbs, most of which is fibre!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 02/11/2019 16:37

Macca that sounds good, I bought some chia seeds to use in my overnight oats but I didn't know what else to use it for

I'm meal planning and streamlining this week: eggs for brunch, 400 cal dinner, yoghurt and berries. I'm going to try hard to do fast 800 at least a few days but I'd like to do a week. I still intend to run at least every other day but not push for particularly long distances

Peachy I usually allow more cals these days and it's a long time since I've done a full week on fast800. However. I've actually gained sufficient weight recently to think that actually i do have the body fat reserves to allow me to do Fast800 and run. My plan is to increase fats and proteins if I get hungry after running (this doesn't always work out though!)

To be honest it is an ongoing struggle to balance out my exercise and my food; I think I have it right and then it all goes awry again. Clearly something isn't working because I am not managing to stick to the plan very well and have gained some pounds.

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Maccalenny · 02/11/2019 20:11

I decided to log my food over the weekend, to start to get back into the habit ready for next week. So I’ve eaten 1200 today. I would have been around 800 without even meaning to, but I’m having a final glass of red wine and snacking on some amazing ale and mustard cheese....I only bought it from Morrison’s this morning but have nibbled on it all day and it is gone. Really glad I only bought 100g! My meals were chia pudding for breakfast, quorn sausage and lentils for lunch, and an avocado and a few grapes for tea.
Tomorrow will be chia pudding, sausage and lentils, and a portion of fish pie - which will be about 800. I will have a few teas and coffees with almond milk or full-fat milk, which will add a bit, so I will end up around 1000. Then Monday-Thursday will be strict 800-900 cals.
I’ve been swapping to alternative milk for my coffees, as I drink a lot! I don’t mind it black, and will drink it black at work, but I get through loads of full-fat milk at home. I’ve tried almond breeze, which was ok, but this week I have alpro unroasted, which just smells and tastes like marzipan...I’m going to get through a lot of this!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 03/11/2019 09:14

Macca I don't like the almond milk in coffee but the almond alpro yoghurt is really nice in overnight oats with cherries. I wonder if You could make a little Black Forest style pot with almond milk, chia, cacao and frozen cherries?

Ok, I'm determined today. I had a good nights sleep last night which I really needed. I'm going to fast as long as possible this morning and keep busy doing some jobs. Going for a run with Dh at 11. Dinner will be roast gammon with loads of veggies and celeriac mash. I'm going to make myself a little chia pot for my pm snack as we are going to fireworks and I know that when we get home the dc and Dh will have a snack and I don't want to be tempted.

I don't want to make grand promises and then fail, but I am determined to try my best this month and not just roll over and give in to the cravings!

Have a good day everyone!

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Riddleofthesands · 03/11/2019 10:35

Hi everyone, a belated sorry for your loss Bear, hellos to Maccalenny.

I am 17 lbs over goal, which is pretty much my full term pregnancy weight. Since 1st of Jan I have lost a few and put them back on over and over. Latest excuse is kids had two different half terms here so I’ve been living in the kitchen cooking and then there is the menopause.

Being honest I think wine is very often my undoing, so I am trying to have an alcohol free November. So far so good. Sleeping much better, no catastrophising at 4 am. Starting food diary again tomorrow and feeling like I may have found my mojo again. I think there are probably a lot of women who give up alcohol in their 50s. Bit dull but I really would like to feel better and not just drag myself through the day feeling vaguely anxious.

PhoenixMama · 03/11/2019 10:35

Hi everyone! I haven't caught up on the thread yet but the last 2 weeks have just been awful work/life stress & I haven't been coping very well.

I'm up 7lbs since last month but I reckon half that is fat & half bloat. I haven't done my measurements but I know they're up because everything is tighter, ugh.

Not going to drink (well that's the plan!) And going to focus on getting back down to 800 cals (1000 on running days) and always getting my protein.

This month had the potential to be even more stressful than last month so it's going to take some killer focus to get back on it properly but I hope the fact that I feel so crap is a reminder of the evil of carbs!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 03/11/2019 11:00

Sounds like we're all in need of a bit of a re-boot doesn't it?
Everything else aside (family, work, illness, cats...) do you reckon it's to do with the clocks changing? I find October hard every year, it's as if the sunlight is just switched off rather brutally and I hate the cold. The rain this October has been particularly grim. It makes me want to hibernate.

It's biologically/evolutionary beneficial to crave carbs/fructose at this time of year (hence we eat all the lovely ripe fruits that are bursting with it) because fructose = fat storage. Maybe there's some science in it somewhere- the dark days, the cold, causing us to crave or seek out carb sources to lay down some fat for winter?! It could be a hormonal thing (eg melatonin affecting other neurochemicals, affecting sleep quality, affecting appetite, affecting gut microbes even ....); it doesn't seem beyond the realms of possibility, certainly.

Michael, if you're reading this (we know you love to check in on a Sunday with a coffee Grin) we'd like a study on this please, in your next book....!!

Cave woman wasn't particularly bothered about her Christmas party dress still fitting I guess and survival was more important!

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