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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

OP posts:
Thread gallery
37
Maccalenny · 03/11/2019 12:34

Bear I use frozen raspberries and blackberries but haven’t tried frozen cherries - I think I will now as a Black Forest pudding sounds amazing! I’m going to try the almond yoghurts, to cut my carbs a bit, as I do eat quite a bit of natural yoghurt.

Riddle I know I find it a lot easier to stick to things if I don’t drink. Especially now, as I’ve not really drunk much for 8 months, one glass has me quite wobbly and two glasses, I just want to sleep! But then I sleep badly and wake feeling dehydrated. I’m definitely better off without.

Phoenix - its good to ‘see’ you! Sorry to hear you’ve had a tough month. 7lb is nothing....you will soon get it shifted.

Maccalenny · 03/11/2019 12:57

Bear I like your reasoning on the challenges of October - it does make perfect sense that our bodies would be trying to lay down fat stores now to get us through the winter. We always seem to be fighting evolution!

PhoenixMama · 03/11/2019 15:21

I totally agree with you Bear - my energy levels totally fell down last month and I survived on daily sweet pastries and evening booze. NOT helpful! I'm determined to make this month better, but the sad reality is I'm really really bad at managing stress and always, always turn to food. I have a severe mental health crisis two years ago and since then I seem to go into this sort of mental void/survival mode where I can't see more than 2 minutes in front of me. It's like a huge part of my brain shuts down and is both helpful and frustrating at the same time.

The good thing I'm taking away from this recent experience (which has essentially been 4/5 months of non-stop stress) is that I survived it at a base weight of 177lbs rather than my previous base weight of 225lbs
so ideally once I reach my goal weight I SHOULD be able to maintain it give or take 5lbs...

Peachypips78 · 03/11/2019 16:16

Chia thingy sounds good. Need to get some cacao powder.

Thanks re running advice- I might allow extra on those days then.

I agree about the time of year. I think my vit D levels plummet in Oct, and this Oct has been very depressing! I also had a period of mental illness at this time in 2015 and ended up in hospital, so there's definitely something going on. I think the season is quite triggering to me. The only way I get through autumn is by planning and thinking about Christmas. I know it's too early etc etc but I need something to look forward to!

Was naughty yesterday - fulfilled a childhood dream and went to see The Brand New Heavies in concert (they were AWESOME) and had three cocktails, two gin and tonics and a cake on top of my 800 cals. Back in it today. Have had my fav meal of avo/eggs with olive oil and sea salt and planning aubergine stew for dinner.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 03/11/2019 16:59

Peachy my vit d must drop too I think. Do you take a supplement? I'm taking a multivitamin and a magnesium supplement currently. I find if I take straight Vit D it keeps me awake at night

OP posts:
Maccalenny · 04/11/2019 06:41

I was reviewing my monthly weight loss since starting, in order to summon up strength for the last push to lose a final stone by February. It looks like this:
1 week of Feb 7lb
March 13lb
April 8.8 lb
May 9.8 lb
June 8.4 lb (stopped counting cals at weekends)
July 3lb (still on plan but not weighing and counting)
August 2.4lb (summer holiday...on plan mostly but lot of off-plan meals)
Sept 5.2lb (on plan, not weighing and counting)
Oct 2.2lb (2-week half term, lot of off-plan and too much dark chocolate)

Interesting that I still lost quite a bit over sept, with no weighing or real calorie restriction - maybe because of the break from diet over the summer.
So I’m aiming for a pound a week. I’m about 1/2 pound up on my lowest weight recorded, so the half-term has not done too much damage! Back to weighing and counting for mon-thurs, to get down to a healthy bmi by Feb.
Also my ds turns 18 today - I’m trying not feel too old!

PhoenixMama · 04/11/2019 08:50

That's so good Macca - honestly you inspire me to keep going!

Proper weigh in this morning & I'm up 5lbs but have gained 3.5inches (up to 1inch but most 0.5inches in most places).

I think that's what I'm feeling the most, everything just feels that little bit too tight.

I would love to get to my goal weight by Christmas but that's another full stone, I definitely want to break & stay below 177 which is my nightmare threshold!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 04/11/2019 18:39

I'm closing up the kitchen today on 1080 cals, 48g carbs, 14 k Steps (6.5k run)

A good first day back, I can feel the carb detox creeping in this evening. Aiming for a proper 800 tomorrow. I'm just about to prep my chia pot, lunch will be prawns and avocado, then dinner will be a frozen gastro fish and veg as it will be my first evening in my new job!

OP posts:
Maccalenny · 04/11/2019 18:39

Stick with it Phoenix - we have got this far and we can do it!

I’ve had fish pie, chia pudding and tinned mackerel with salad, as planned. No milky coffees, and I’ve started back on the herbal teas which is good. Avoided the return-to-work chocolates! I calculate I’m at about 850 today. A good re-start.

Maccalenny · 05/11/2019 05:01

Bear I hope the job went well!

PhoenixMama · 05/11/2019 09:22

I did ok yesterday - didn't hit my protein amount but was under cals and not hungry. I'm trying to eat less meat but that means I'm getting less protein. Forgot to weigh in this morning so will check tomorrow.

Good luck today Bear!

Riddleofthesands · 05/11/2019 09:50

Really pleased to be on day 5 no alcohol, DH doing it too, sleeping better and I think my skin is a little less puffy. I am in bed by 9 pm completely shattered whereas before I reluctantly went to bed at 10.30 ish. Concentrating on no booze and no bread this week and next week hopefully I will be ready to do proper 800 days. Lost 1 lb so far. Hope everyone has a good day.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 05/11/2019 10:18

I didn't sleep well last night, a combination of a low carb day making me a bit wired, plus also Dublin murders giving me the heeby-jeebies!
I feel good today though. Just been for my run, and then had my chia pot (made last light with 1 spoon of seeds topped up with milk and frozen raspberries. It's amazing how much they swell, the spoon of seeds filled a mug!) - I'm going to try it hot tomorrow like porridge?

OP posts:
VenusInfers · 05/11/2019 13:54

Hi All

Clocking back in to the 800 club after a summer off as I've put a few pounds back on. I was more of a lurker than a poster, so don't be surprised if the name doesn't ring a bell! Grin

It's great to see how well so many of you are doing - Macca Phoenix and Bear I'm looking at you - and to see all the new people too.

I'm just on day 1 and doing well; as PP have said it's day 3 that is the tough one. Weirdly looking forward to it.

Maccalenny · 05/11/2019 19:15

Phoenix - I find keeping the protein high is hard if you eating less meat too. I love lentils and beans but they bump up the carbs. I do eat a lot of tinned fish for convenience too.

Bear I usually heat the chia - lovely and porridge!

Riddle well done on the alcohol reduction, great that you are feeling the benefits already.

Venus welcome back! Hope day two has gone well.

No issues food-wise today, and I was back to my lowest weight this morning which was a nice surprise! 13lb to go....lovely to be able to think I have less than a stone to lose.

Maccalenny · 05/11/2019 20:19

A non-scales victory today... I remember writing ages ago that I had a happy moment in our school kitchen when I realised that I could fit sideways though the gap between the cooker and freezer without getting squished or touching either thing. I realised today that I don’t even need to turn sideways any more to fit through! More dancing back and forward in celebration for a few moments, to the amusement of our chef.

PhoenixMama · 06/11/2019 08:51

Amazing Macca! Well done!

I'm down 4lbs since the weekend & now just have 12 to go. At the start I know I could have been there in 12 days, now it takes considerably longer!

My sugar & alcohol cravings are in full swing! I'm hosting a boozy event on Friday, not sure how I'm going to make it through!

PhoenixMama · 06/11/2019 08:52

I'm also not getting notifications - anyone else having this?

Riddleofthesands · 06/11/2019 09:09

Congrats on non scale victory Maccalenny. I realised last night that my white wine must have contained a lot of sugar duh! I always think I don’t have a sweet tooth because I have no interest in puddings/cake/chocolate but I forget the wine. No desire for booze thankfully but I ate a white magnum and haribos as I was desperate for something to fill the gap. My priority is no alcohol but I was surprised by the need for sweets. Need a plan!

Phoenix you are so close to goal!!

whattheduffz · 06/11/2019 09:30

Hello! I'm a newbe fast 800. 15kg to lose to be middle of my healthy BMI.

W1D3 here and feeling very very very very grumpy. LOL.

Can anyone give me some great tips on how to keep to TRE when you've got littles? They are often up at 5:30 and waiting until lunchtime to eat feels too long. Just managed 9:00am. Any thoughts?

Riddleofthesands · 06/11/2019 11:08

Hi whattheduffz, my youngest is 12 and I am going through the menopause so we are at completely different stages. You do have my sympathy, it’s a grind when they are little, it does get easier. You don’t have that much weight to lose.

It is extraordinary how we can reset our appetites though, it is possible to retrain and get used to saving your 800 kc for 2 meals. I wouldn’t be too hard on yourself and if it creeps up to 1,000 because you need to eat at 9 (having been up for hours) then just go with it. In a few weeks you will adjust. I assume you aren’t breast feeding? I personally wouldn’t diet at all while breast feeding.

My tiny snacks to fill a gap are small amounts of peanut butter (a couple of teaspoons), almonds (no more than 8 at a time), smoked mackerel fillet (high fat and calories but very filling). I also eat a ton of green veg which are very low in calories.

I’ve had a look at my diary and I have 5 weeks to a Christmas party (11th Dec). Committing to strict 800 as of today. Eggs and mushrooms for lunch, salmon and spinach and sugar snap peas for dinner. Weighed this morning and I have 15 lbs to lose.

PhoenixMama I don’t ever get notifications so I can’t help with that, sorry.

Waterandlemonjuice · 06/11/2019 11:21

Oh, this is the thread I was looking for! Hi, I’m on day 3 of BSD, doing ok so far. Day 3 AF as well. Feeling determined!

Waterandlemonjuice · 06/11/2019 11:23

Bear, our cat died a few weeks ago and I knowhow you feel, im so sorry for your loss, they become part of the family, don’t they? 💐

whattheduffz · 06/11/2019 14:40

Thanks Riddleofthesands my first day was 756, second 900 and today I think I'll probably be around 900 too. Yeah, I am easing into it this time. I mean if its actually possible to ease into a VCLD!

I'm day 3 too waterandlemonjuice so please do check in with me! I'm absolutely determined to shift 15kg. And I'd love some support.

Peachypips78 · 06/11/2019 17:08

Hi all.

Am more or less sticking to 800 but my carbs are creeping up which is making me very hungry and grumpy! I am on wk2 day 4 and have lost 4 pounds, but did a low carb week before that so didn't get the dramatic first week loss some get. I'm weighing every day and writing my weight in a book which is helping massively. I need to MFP religiously for the next few days.

Today I've had milk in tea, a bit of tiffin Blush, a sliver of cheese and the aubergine stew.

Macca I have a great image of you dancing among the kitchen units Grin

Riddle - I too forgot about alcohol sugar- ugh.

Duffz- I don't know! The only thing that helps me is saying to myself that I won't die if I don't eat until lunch, drinking coffee and drinking sugar free squash.

Welcome new folk!

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