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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
VenusInfers · 10/11/2019 08:16

Welcome berryflip!
Don't worry about a day off plan. You've made great progress so far, just draw a line under yesterday and start afresh today. I'm planning an evening off tomorrow, for our wedding anniversary, but I'm aiming to get back to it on Tuesday.

I'm starting D6 and have already lost 5lb. God I love this diet... Right, time for some eggs and tomatoes for breakfast.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 10/11/2019 08:16

Morning everyone.
I ended up drinking rather a lot last night and I did then eat a few snacks and bits I shouldn't have. I'm not going to weigh myself either!

My week's been pretty dire overall, and it appears that I do not cope well with stress. I am going to try again this coming week for a bit of focussed Fast800.

Today we are having lamb mince as a bolognese for dinner, I'll have mine sigh lots of veg instead of pasta. Going out for a run with Dh this morning (although he's attempting to cry off!)

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whattheduffz · 10/11/2019 08:23

Morning all! Had a few wines last night so feeling a bit grim this morning, but I decided to see how my W1 is going (tomorrow is the day 7 so I want a good result) .. anyway with a night off plan I'm still 2kg down so I'm pretty THRILLED.

I also got my period yesterday which might explain why i was sooo HUNGRY all day. Does everyone get TOTM hunger increases?

Peachypips78 · 10/11/2019 15:32

I get SO hungry!! And around ovulation too.

Am feeling very grumpy about not eating much today! Might go and kick the table.

Campervan69 · 10/11/2019 16:04

I've given up today and will start again tomorrow Confused

Waterandlemonjuice · 10/11/2019 20:57

Have definitely had more than 800 as ate dark chocolate but tomorrow is another day

thenewaveragebear1983 · 10/11/2019 21:09

We ran 6 km this morning, not bad with a hangover. Food has been ok, although way more than 800 cals.
I've planned my menu out for the week. I'm really determined to get a few really good fast days under my belt. I'm feeling really meh and very unhealthy right now!

Tomorrow: I'm going to do a yoga workout instead as I'm aching after bootcamp and running. I've got a lot to do tomorrow so my plan is to fast all morning and hold off as long as possible, but get a lot of water in for a bit of a 'flush'! If I can fast all day I will, but I have soup in the freezer if I need it; then dinner is veggie sausages and eggs, mushrooms and tomatoes.

I've been my own worst enemy these last few weeks so what I really need to do is just stop self sabotaging and remind myself where I'm going. I have lost sight of my goals recently and I feel very out of control. Hopefully this weekend I can claw some back!

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PhoenixMama · 11/11/2019 10:23

Hello all - weekend went a bit off plan with booze (dammit!) but I've also got my period and I was so hungry all weekend! Up 2lbs since Friday which is fine, it'll be off in no time but does mean I'm no closer to cracking my crazy weight wall! Going to be stricter on carbs this week and try to up my protein.

Stress definitely derails me - it's like I go into some sort of caveman zone and the only thing that will sustain me is carbs and sugar. Whrn I'm not stressed I can resist no problem and when I'm stressed is when I also need the healthier, less carby foods, drives me insane!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 11/11/2019 15:46

Having these tonight- they are Ade from mostly veg with chickpeas and pea flour, 6g carbs per 2 sausages. A lot of veggie/vegan subs like these tend to have potato in some form so I usually avoid them, but I'm excited about these ones!

Blood sugar diet and fast800 thread 16
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Peachypips78 · 11/11/2019 19:32

Were they nice bear?

I'm back on track- have gone into a new stone bracket this morning at 12 st 13. Have been good today so hoping for another jump tomorrow.

Started at 13st 7- lost three pounds low carbing in my prep/lead-up week, then started Fast 800 two weeks ago. So doing well!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 11/11/2019 20:34

Peachy they were actually really tasty, I would buy again definitely

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Canadianpancake · 11/11/2019 21:54

Hi, this thread is great! I started fast800 2 weeks ago and I've lost about 10lbs so far. I've got to admit the first few days were difficult, with some killer headaches, but since then I'm finding it surprisingly easy! 16:8 really helps me not snack in an evening which is usually my biggest downfall, and I am sleeping so much better too.

PhoenixMama · 12/11/2019 08:51

Back down a bit this morning but my period is terrible this cycle so hoping for some decent movement when it finishes. I absolutely cannot break through the 177 barrier. Going to keep trying but it's really frustrating me, especially since I lost so much at the beginning!

Am also starting to enter stuff in mfp in advance to I know where I'm at for the day BEFORE. I make a choice!

VenusInfers · 12/11/2019 13:34

Keep at it Phoenix, you've done so amazingly so far, you can totally break that barrier! Your stamina and determination have been a fabulous example. Just a few more days!

Went a bit over on calories yesterday as it was our wedding anniversary. Only a little extra food but several of these Wine. I offset a bit with some extra exercise early in the day, and getting back in the swing of things today.

Those sausages look good bear. I really like their chicken ones so up for trying a tasty veggie one.

Maccalenny · 12/11/2019 18:59

Nice thing today - I was reviewing a lot of photos from the past several years for an event at work. I looked so big on them....I know if I had been looking at them if I hadn’t lost weight this year, I would have found it really hard to see them. But today it was ok - I can look at the photos and just feel pleased that I’ve got this sorted. And I know the photos from this year’s event will look a lot better!

PhoenixMama · 12/11/2019 22:51

Well today tanked! Plans going awry really didn't help, but finding of I have any bread products I'm starving for the rest of the day. Going to start cutting it out altogether & seeing if it helps get over the initial carb craving! 2 weeks to my event & I want to feel in control!

berryflip · 13/11/2019 01:06

Hello all, does anyone else find that they have trouble sleeping on no carb/fast days?
Loving the diet overall as I've lost 8 pounds in 3 weeks (without even sticking to it religiously). Feeling loads better and I'm chuffed about how my carb cravings have gone.
I've really stuck to plan today, only consuming about 700 cals, not hungry, but I'm definitely noticing a pattern in that I sleep better if I've eaten carbs that day. I've also cut back massively on alcohol recently so I wonder if my body doesn't know how to wind down naturally anymore. Or it could just be my whirring mind!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 13/11/2019 07:28

Berry absolutely! I am a lifelong insomniac anyway but a few days of very low carb does see me absolutely racing. I have been known to come downstairs for a few crackers (not bsd!) because otherwise I think I'll never get to sleep. I think it's because I'm so sensitive to anything that affects my sleep, and the combination of that and the increased metabolism (apparently a fast day increases your metabolic rate by -I think- about 15%?! ) just sets my mind whirring.

It does settle down though, and long term your sleep should improve through your new healthy lifestyle!

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berryflip · 13/11/2019 10:03

Thanks @thenewaveragebear1983 I thought it was probably something to do with that. It's horrible when you can't sleep isn't it!
So I've had a dreadful nights sleep, but on the plus side I weighed myself this morning and I've lost 3 pounds since yesterday Smile

Riddleofthesands · 13/11/2019 10:07

Hi Berry congrats on 8 lb loss, low carbs doesn’t affect my sleep but it does badly for a friend of mine. Giving up or reducing alcohol means it takes me maybe a half hour to fall asleep but the sleep quality is much better and I don’t wake at 4 am needing to pee!

Still have my period so no point in weighing. Your photo story made me smile Maccalenny.

Peachypips78 · 14/11/2019 16:45

Hi all.
I find weirdly that I sleep better without carbs. If I have too much sugar/carbs it makes my heart race and I can't sleep. Sleeping best I have in ages

Doing ok. Had a snackcident with some Daim bars yesterday though.

Riddleofthesands · 15/11/2019 11:51

Weighed and have lost 3 lbs, pleased as I had a big bowl of pasta one night and some chocolate. It’s not easy when it’s so cold and dark. Toddler size portion of cassoulet for lunch, mackerel and veg for dinner.

bridgetreilly · 15/11/2019 14:25

My sleep improves dramatically when I'm off carbs. In fact it's one of the most obvious signs of going off plan for me: I'll be wide awake at 2am and struggling to drag myself out of bed in the morning. Without the carbs, I go to sleep easily and wake up not tired the next day.

Campervan69 · 15/11/2019 15:33

11 stone 8 at my gym this morning so coming slowly off. To be honest I think I'm probably eating more like 1000 calories a day and have had a couple couple of blips so I'm really happy with that

VenusInfers · 15/11/2019 23:23

Congrats to berry and riddle!

Here's a thing. Does anyone else feel an odd, v subtle, vibration when they are in full low-carb mode? When I'm lying in bed, feeling a bit tired-but-alert, it feels like a washing machine in a distant room is setting my whole body vibrating ever-so-slightly. If I've accidentally eaten too much carb there's nothing but if I'm low, it's there - like the thrum of a ship's engine. Anyone else get this? Anyone? No? Just me?? Grin

Well, after just under 2 weeks I've lost half a stone and am fitting back into my fancy velvet trews that I'm keen to wear at Crimbo. I'm 'off' this weekend as I have my son's birthday and relatives visiting, but aim to complete one more week on this AMAZING plan before slowly getting into maintenance mode.

I love all the high protein and high veg that this WOE encourages, and my sweet tooth has dropped off to such an extent that my usual white wine tastes way too saccharine tonight. Which is a shame, as it was a nice combination of price/taste before I discovered Fast800...

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