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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

OP posts:
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thenewaveragebear1983 · 13/01/2020 11:05

@thisyeargoodyear to be honest, nutritionally you don't need carbs - however, emotionally and for quick-energy reasons you might find yourself wanting them and I would hate to think that you felt you 'couldn't' have them if you wanted them. Plus also you will need some fibre that you can only get from carbs. I think your plan sounds right; the med diet is very nutrient rich and should give you all the nutrients you need, but sometimes our need for carbs is not nutritional. I remember those days and sometimes a slice of toast was the only thing I could manage to make and eat!

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CaptainBrickbeard · 13/01/2020 13:16

After such ravenous hunger all weekend that I decided 800 calories was just not feasible for me and I was going to stick to the principles but not the calorie count, I found myself easily able to fast all of this morning and go swimming. I was really beginning to feel frustrated with myself so pleasantly surprised by that. It’s weird though - on Saturday and Sunday I was shaking with hunger between meals, couldn’t hold out for breakfast at all and no way could I exercise.

But before I speak too soon - I’m trying out working at home today. If I was in my office I wouldn’t be thinking about eating and I’d be getting a lot more writing done. Instead, I’m typing in my kitchen getting constantly distracted and despite not being hungry (only just had lunch!) I keep thinking about food. I’m definitely going back to my work space tomorrow!

TheForgetfulCat · 13/01/2020 20:01

Well done CaptainBrickbeard! Smile

Greetings from the dust beneath the wagon - today was taking teenage DS (who has ASD and really complex needs) to view a possible new school. Stayed overnight in a Premier Inn which I discover is not remotely compatible with low carb eating. Tried for porridge and yoghurt for breakfast, did school tour with DS, who was a superstar once he'd actually agreed to leave the car ... and then they brought us a lovely tray of sandwiches, crisps and cake.

Friendly admonishments welcome that a lapse is not a relapse, tomorrow is another day, etc etc ...

thenewaveragebear1983 · 13/01/2020 20:21

@TheForgetfulCat I imagine that was a challenging day for you and Ds, and you're right, tomorrow is a new day Grin

I've closed up the kitchen today on 1300, 34g carbs. I've had plenty of leftover roast chicken, salad lunch and I tweaked the menu to accommodate a really nice piece of salmon (bought at the supermarket and I just really fancied it) which I had with stir fried veg and a tangy spicy mango sauce.

I'm on a course tomorrow. I'm in two minds: try to fast til I get home at 2.30, or take my own lunch. I'm inclined to fast, except I wonder if they'll put on some food etc in which case I'll wish I'd taken my own BSD version. Not sure....

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Kimlek · 13/01/2020 20:31

forgetful hopefully the sarnies and crisps will be worth it and your DS loves the new school!!

FluffyEarMuffs · 13/01/2020 20:36

Evening all!

I haven't eaten yet, so I think I'll carry on and treat this as an extended water mint tea fast. Might eat tomorrow, might not. Probably will though 😁

Did anyone else get the Fast 800 Community email today? It had a few interesting things and some links that focussed the mind a bit about why I am doing this.

Kimlek · 13/01/2020 20:39

bear I think I’d take lunch and see what happens.... it could be sarnies and crisps.
I walked the dog for an hour, cooked a couple of different ‘pies’, had a crustless quiche for lunch at 1230 then off to new pilates class which was gentle but good. We all had chicken & mushroom pie for dinner, which was another hit albeit I missed off the topping as no cabbage included in the delivery.
Eldest DD has just made Nutella cookies.... and I tried one. No idea how many calories it’ll be but it was lovely!

CaptainBrickbeard · 13/01/2020 21:36

bear I’d take lunch just in case!

Just made the egg muffins from the BSD recipe book ready for lunch tomorrow. They look and smell amazing!

Moknicker · 14/01/2020 00:57

Hi
Hope everyone had a good weekend. Weekend was actually not too bad. Dropped another 100 g today. I know its not much but i actually expected to just stay the same so it feels like a big win.

Ive started having an enormous amount of sugarfree gum to combat the hunger pangs and have something in my mouth.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 14/01/2020 07:03

I'm down this morning to 10.9.8, so a little half pound off. I am literally aching all over and dreamed I'd been in a fight after doing boxercise yesterday, so there may be a bit of water retention associated with that!!

I've decided to make myself a shake this morning to drink before my course and then not have lunch. Dinner tonight will be spicy chicken and salad, so it should be a comfortable 800 calorie day for me today.

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PhoenixMama · 14/01/2020 08:21

Down another pound today (yesterday I was pretty good!) and 1lb off my lowest - I totally want to break that this week!

@TheForgetfulCat Sounds like you did great with a difficult situation - well done!

I made the aubergine lasagna and it was ok. DD had a meltdown about it and after a huge row agreed it wasn't that bad Angry Ended up having 2 veggie sausages with it because I needed more protein. I used my smallest pan and it just worked ok. Not sure it will be part of my usual rmenu!

TheForgetfulCat · 14/01/2020 08:28

Well, last night was not really so good but we won't talk about that Confused

Scales this morning say 12st4, up a pound from two days ago, which is probably enough to give me a kick up the backside without driving me to total despair!

Real huge efforts for the rest of the week as brothers wedding is now 11 days away and I still have hopes of looking less like a hippopotamus by then. 4 lbs in 11 days is doable folks?

FatKate · 14/01/2020 09:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MozzchopsThirty · 14/01/2020 13:31

So I lost 2kg last week but put 1kg back on after the weekend
Lost it again since yesterday as fasted again

M going to have to do 2:5 with TRE
I enjoy my weekends too much with food & drink, nothing excessive but can't stick to 800
I find 5 day fasting when I'm working so much easier

As I only have 3-4kg to lose do you think this approach will be ok?

thenewaveragebear1983 · 14/01/2020 16:39

@FatKate hi, welcome. I suppose there's no real harm in doing some High calorie days and some lower calorie ones, and as you are averaging 800 then that could work. I've not heard of anyone actually doing it this way though. The 24 water fast doesn't sound like much fun to be honest! I suppose as you go on you might modify your calorie intake. It will be interesting to see how you get on. Do you mind me asking if you have a lot of weight to
Lose? You might find it more manageable to have a few good 800 days and allow one day/two days more calories (but still med style, low carb etc). Your average will be more than 800 but that's still a perfectly workable strategy especially if you have a lot to lose, or like me do a lot of exercise and need more calories.

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FatKate · 14/01/2020 17:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FluffyEarMuffs · 14/01/2020 17:16

@MozzchopsThirty that's what I intend to do later on; fast Monday - Friday and then eat more on a weekend.

I have now been water fasting for 48 hours nearly. I don't actually feel hungry yet so I am keeping going I think. MM did a 4 day water/mint tea fast. I am not sure I can manage that though.

I will probably end up eating supper now tonight 😆

Kimlek · 14/01/2020 17:54

fatkate Hi 👋🏼If that’s going to work for you then go for it. I’d forget which day it was and what I was ok to have. Would it be easier to do 5:2? Won’t you be ravenous on Sundays and the 2 days you’re doing 400ish? Hey, suck it & see! We are all so different!

Kimlek · 14/01/2020 18:02

fatkate if you’re finding water fasts ok then maybe you’ll do well this way. Everything is worth a try isn’t it? I’m the same if I have b’fast, I’m starving 5 mins later whereas if I wait til lunch I’m fine.
Albeit I’ve been hungry all day today & cold. Took the dog for a long walk after an hour of tennis an got soak with rain! Had crustless quiche and some hazlenuts. Meant to be having stuffed peppers tonight but think I’ll have leftovers from last night.
bear I think I recall you saying that you do something particular when you’re on a period to help the whoosh or something. What was it please?

MozzchopsThirty · 14/01/2020 18:26

@FluffyEarMuffs omg re water fast
No way could I do that

CaptainBrickbeard · 14/01/2020 18:40

The thought of extended water fasts give me the horrors too. I can do 14:10 quite consistently and every now and again a 16:8 but I will never do a 24 or more hour fast. It makes me feel panicky just reading about other people doing them!

Does anyone else have a very sedentary job? I’m a writer and have spent all day today at my desk. My step count is really low on writing days and this January weather is doing terrible things to my motivation to get out anywhere before or after!

My Ripped in 30 DVD is reproaching me from the cupboard. I know I should get it out...

FluffyEarMuffs · 14/01/2020 19:00

@MozzchopsThirty I didn't think I could either! I knew I wanted to as I'd read MM and research about cell renewal, but just last week I was vomiting with carb flu!

I have to say that surprisingly, I am not feeling any hunger pangs. I cooked dinner last night for both DH and DD, and tonight just now I am finishing dinner for DD... and I am not tempted to eat it.

I haven't tried the miso soup packets I have in the cupboard yet; I've just been going on lots of water and lots of various mint and ginger teas.

@CaptainBrickbeard I have quite a sedentary job. I am trying to move around a bit though. I just walk out of work sometimes and go for a walk as well (obviously dependent on your job and work place!) As I haven't been taking any sort of lunch break though, I think it's fair enough if I go for a walk.

Today, I walked down into the next village to have a massage. I have decided that is my treat for not spending the equivalent on alcohol for the last two weeks! It was hideous rain though. I can't get my dog to go out when it's raining, but the last few days I have dragged her out for a walk.

The last few days I have hit 10,000 steps and I am pleased with that as am yet to add exercise.

PhoenixMama · 14/01/2020 20:25

Rubbish day for me. Late night last night and I think I'm overtired. Started and finished with sugar and over on fats. Frustrating as I was doing so well but that's that. Containing everything into today so to make sure I don't spill over! Will def pay for it tomorrow.

@CaptainBrickbeard I write too so totally know what you mean! I'm actually supposed to be doing my final reflective piece for my MA final project this week and I am so unmotivated it's insane.

I've started making myself walk for an hour a day. I usually get it in walking DD to school, walking home and then walking to pick her up but if I miss one of those lengths then I make myself walk for 20 mins. That said I think the game changer for me is doing this 30 days of yoga. I am feeling so much better for it and I'm now thinking I'm going to try to do 365 days. The Yoga with Adriene 30 day challenge is always good but this year it's exceptionally good and aside from the first today they're all around 30 mins so super easy to squeeze in. In 13days my posture has changed and I can see what I assume are abs forming - I haven't see them in so long I didn't know they were even there!

onanothertrain · 14/01/2020 21:03

Another good day today, Yoghurt and Raspberries for breakfast, soup for lunch and stuffed peppers with Halloumi for dinner.

Kimlek · 14/01/2020 22:20

pheonix abs??? Flipping heck!

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