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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.

BSD and Fast800 support thread #17

999 replies

thenewaveragebear1983 · 06/01/2020 10:51

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.

Time restricted eating/TRE :
In addition to the fast800/ BSD plan you can incorporate a strategy of time restricted eating. Put simply, this means only eating between certain times each day to maximise your fasting time. TRE has shown to have positive results for weightloss, even if there is no calorie restriction, and increases insulin sensitivity/reduces insulin resistance. At first, try for a clear 12 hours without food each 24 hours, increasing to 16:8 as you get more adept at fasting.

Some useful links:

previous thread

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

information about the ‘whoosh’ phenomenon

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Thread gallery
23
Kimlek · 02/03/2020 11:38

Ahhh cream123 it happens to the best of us. But hopefully you had a great night & enjoyed the party! Given you’re afresh with motivation you’ll soon be at my heels! And possibly overtaking.

FluffyEarMuffs · 02/03/2020 15:01

Thank you for the perspective @Kimlek 😁 Hopefully I will lose it soon and it was just the booze. There was bread though too 😁

I am clinging to the fact that on my scales, my muscle weight was actually up - so perhaps the gym has helped with muscle gain! That can only help long term with fat loss of this extra little blip goes quickly.

I tired to drink my bone broth today and I just couldn't do it. I will just water and mint tea fast I think for the rest of today.

I have yoga later and am feeling utterly jet lagged. I'll try and walk the dog after that if it's not raining, and stay awake until a reasonable time so my body clock gets back in sync.

Am very tired indeed and got a lot to do this week.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 02/03/2020 15:52

What was wrong with your broth @FluffyEarMuffs? Mine is yummy today! I'm going to buy a chunk of oxtail to do my next one though, I feel like I need some iron!

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bluepixie · 02/03/2020 19:00

Kitchen was closed at 530 with 870 cals and very low carbs.
Same Planned for tmrw and won’t eat till 830 so that’s a good 15 hours no food...will try push this later on my non work days
I can do this!
Ps why is everyone having bone broth?! Have I missed something :)

thenewaveragebear1983 · 02/03/2020 20:23

@Cream123 it's good while you're fasting to keep your salts up!

I've had a very low calorie and low carb day as I've pretty much fasted all day and I don't really feel that hungry now. I'm actually going to have some yogurt and berries just so that I've had something as I'm currently clocking in at 250 cals and 2g carbs. I had some broth earlier and also had a few slices of ham when I left Tesco as I was suddenly ravenous. I did 15k steps, including 5km on my treadmill and did day 20 yoga

Tomorrow: I'm invigilating in a local school so I will take my lunch with me (I've made my salad as have an avocado and some sliced turkey with mayo), although I am also going to take my running stuff and go for a quick 5km at lunchtime too. Then invigilating another exam in the afternoon! Busy day! Then my dinner will be chicken in Parma ham with a salad, and alpro with raspberries, before I go out to work again in the evening.

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FluffyEarMuffs · 02/03/2020 21:53

@thenewaveragebear1983 it just wasn't nice to drink a lot of. Perhaps I ought to try beef instead. What recipe are you working from?

The chicken one is great in itself as stock, and if I braise some kale in it, I'll probably have the lot. But I just couldn't stomach the taste from a mug weirdly, not even well seasoned.

So today's intake has been one cup of black coffee, four cups of herbal tea, 10 glasses of water, third of a cup of broth and two florets of steamed broccoli I stole from little one's plate 😆 I threw the nice looking fish cake she wouldn't eat in the bin 😔 potato AND breadcrumbs

Kimlek · 03/03/2020 06:58

11.0.6 again this morning. So 1 stone down since Jan and another to go.
Need to sit down and plan meals as although I have a menu for dinners all week, I’ve not decided lunches/snacks etc. And I’m not wanting to fast too much, skipping bfast is enough. I’m also finding that I’m getting hungry around midday (I eat lunch) then again around 4ish (have a snack but usually still hungry) and then not too bothered later on. I don’t really want to eat dinner at 4pm despite my body begging.
Still haven’t started yoga 30 days! Have an hours tennis this morning followed by a dog walk; then I’ve got a daft afternoon driving all over the place and not home til late as have a parents eve. So need to think about the 4pm/dinner issue.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 03/03/2020 07:24

@Kimlek well done, and so close to those new numbers!

I'm not sure where I got the recipe from @FluffyEarMuffs , maybe somewhere on mumsnet...or maybe the Jason Fung book? Either way, I just use my bones (eg chicken carcass) and simmer it in the slow cooker with a good slug of apple cider vinegar and some salt. I used pre-cut frozen 'base mix' and a teaspoon of Lazy Garlic, a few sticks of celery etc, and then just simmer it for the whole day. Then strain it (I use quite a big colander so some of the meaty bits do end up in the liquid). I've bought a chunk of oxtail to do the next one with so I'll report back.

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bluepixie · 03/03/2020 07:35

Well done @Kimlek a whole stone!!! Great work! I can’t fast for too long either.
530-830am and I’m starving maybe I’ll get used it and extend it.
11.5 this am. So 2 off yest aware its all water for now but def will make me stick to it!

CaptainBrickbeard · 03/03/2020 07:40

Well done, Kimlek! Skipping breakfast is as far as I will go with a fast as well and I don’t do it that often.

I’m really disorganised at the moment, not planning meals ahead at all!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 03/03/2020 08:15

It's amazing how quickly skipping breakfast becomes the norm as well, I very rarely eat breakfast now and usually only feel hungry in the morning if I've eaten lots the night before. Skipping lunch definitely feels more alien, although the soup is very warming and I find it is enough to keep me going a bit longer. I'm taking lunch today though because I don't want my stomach to growl during the exams! The biggest difference to me with the longer fasts is that suddenly 800 calories is achievable whereas I have really struggled to get the calories low enough previously (and quite consistently over the last now 4 years -gosh!- doing this diet on and off. I couldn't do this continuously but I just want this last 1/2 stone off now so this is like my final push.

That's what I love about this though- there's a plan for everyone within the plan. You can work out your way of doing it that works for you.

Have a great day everyone!

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FluffyEarMuffs · 03/03/2020 11:54

I rarely eat breakfast and it's only when I do occasionally that I get hungry.

Skipping lunch becomes easier too. Or just having salad or soup.

I barely ate anything yesterday so it was practically a water fast, but much needed after pretty much drinking my body weight in wine over the previous week.

I THINK maintenance for me could entail eating a calorie unrestricted Fast 800 diet, trying to avoid the big carbs but not being too precious about it, and then having one/two days a week not eating and having an extended fast. And naturally/hopefully/maybe that would suit me....?

I just can't drink the stock though on fast days. It's lovely broth as well, if I do say so myself!, and it does taste nice, I just can't take more than a tiny bit. I thought maybe you'd made it differently Bear, but no. I have been making stock for years and it was a great roast chicken carcass I used, but I just can't properly drink it.

I lost all the additional weight this morning, so it must have just been water I put on while away. That bodes well for me I think when I do get to a maintenance stage.

I will see what the scales say tomorrow or if perhaps today was a blip and I have got my hopes up. I plan on carrying on fasting until dinner time. Then maybe some minute steak and kale cooked in the stock. Or fish perhaps.

bluepixie · 03/03/2020 14:16

I’m hungry today . 3 hours till dinner. Gonna have 2 eggs with salmon and Avocado salad. I hope all the fat will keep me full till 830 next am.
Need to copy you all with skipping brekkie but ready for that yet!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 03/03/2020 21:27

Closing up today on 977 and 38g carbs, 16k steps (no yoga though)
It would have been lower but I bought some almond latte sachets to take to work and they had 10 grams of carbs in!! Nice, but no way worth ten grams!!

I'm exhausted now. I'm now 9 days sugar free, I've dropped a fair few pounds, I've been working out hard and being very good generally. Today is the first day I've wanted to stuff sugar in my mouth through sheer emotional exhaustion. I didn't, but I easily could. I think that just shows that it's not even always as easy as being on plan- I heard my little self sabotage voice whispering to me several times today!

Tomorrow: it's my work day, I have my 3rd collagen in the morning (i am really noticing an improvement as a combination of the treatment and the weightloss) and then will go to work. I always have a soy latte from the coffee shop so that will be my 'lunch', plus I've got soup simmering too which I will have after work. Dinner will be something spicy, maybe chicken tikka massalla with some roasted cauliflower.

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FluffyEarMuffs · 03/03/2020 21:32

Cream I never really liked breakfast as a child and didn't ever have it every single day as an adult. I know when I do occasionally eat it though as an adult, for example when away in a hotel, it makes me soooo hungry before lunch and I end up having more calories in total that day. So for me, it's a no brainer.

But it's not for everyone.

Kimlek · 03/03/2020 22:24

The skipping bfast thing works for some and not for others cream123 so do whatever suits you. I used to be a nurse (aged 18) starting shifts at 7am so bfast was 10ish when on a break. And I wonder if that’s when my body just didn’t care for bfast. If I have bfast on hols I’m starving 2 hours later but if I skip it (I’m not wanting bfast anyway so not hard to skip) I start getting hungry around 1130 midday. Some days I don’t even realise that I’ve not had lunch til 3pm!! Albeit that seems to be getting rare.
How you go 9 days without sugar bear is beyond me. I had cake lady night. Middle daughters 15th bday and I do love a bit of red velvet!! 😋
Today not great either as I’ve ended it with a few glasses of red. Patents eve wasn’t that bad but....

Kimlek · 04/03/2020 06:51

Down to 10.13.6 this morning so back to Thurs/Fri weight. I really need to get back on plan and get rid of this last stone now.
How’s your belly contouring going bear mines looking really sad & wrinkly already.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 04/03/2020 07:02

10.3.6 today so maintaining so far this week (which does make sense given bumper loss last week).

For the first time in a very long time I am absolutely stiff with DOMS after running yesterday. It could be from yoga on Monday I suppose. But I wonder if it's due to running on such low reserves?

@Kimlek I once did 6 full months entirely sugar free. It's weirdly easy once I get fully into it, and it certainly helps me to keep my overall food consumption down because sugar (particularly chocolate) is such a big binge trigger for me. I could never do the two squares of dark chocolate, I would eat the whole bar then raid the cupboards

Busy day ahead- I really should get off my phone and start doing important stuff!! Have a good day y'all

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bluepixie · 04/03/2020 07:03

Well done kimlek. I find when I get to that weight I start slowing down. It’s harder coz u feel okkk despite wanting to loose more and u been at it a while. Just remember why your doing it and go again! I will be off plan and need some pushing when I get to below 11 I know it!
I’m 11.3.6 today so that’s 5.5 off since last Monday considering I went off it over weekend I’m ok with that. I’m hoping this weekend doesn’t do much damage (date night Friday family birthday lunch on sat - promised myself no cake no alcohol on sat).

thenewaveragebear1983 · 04/03/2020 07:04

@Kimlek it's going surprisingly well. It's losing that 'papery' feeling already and doesn't look quite so sad and droopy- and I only have had 2 sessions out of 6. She's going to take some photos today so if I'm feeling brave I will share them.

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Kimlek · 04/03/2020 07:06

Yes cream123 it’s been a slow process as it’s taken since Dec 27th to lose this first stone but it’s getting there and I’m playing around with it, exploring etc.

bluepixie · 04/03/2020 07:24

Well done on the no sugar @thenewaveragebear1983 I’m day 2 of it and I’m feeling ok. Once I see the cake on sat I know I’ll be weak though! Confused

bluepixie · 04/03/2020 07:25

Kimlek it’s on downward trend plus u have lost a lot - a stone is amazing! It gets much harder as you slim down. Well done. U will get there !

bluepixie · 04/03/2020 11:49

What’s the view with sweeteners? Just realised my Greek yoghurt has some in...I don’t have it much but I’ve noticed it keeps things low carb. I’ve had a spoon and actually it tastes really weird so not sure I’ll have it again but wondering what the thought is!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 04/03/2020 15:31

@Cream123 with regards to sweeteners, I do try to avoid them, mostly because they make me really crave sweet food. There's various studies that show they play havoc with your insulin sensitivity. That being said, I will drink a Pepsi Max or have a diet tonic water for example, so small amounts (especially when the alternative is a full sugar version) can be ok. With something like Greek yoghurt, where a sugar/sweetener free version is available, I'd try to wean yourself onto that, and save the occasional sweetener for emergencies.

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