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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 support thread #18

998 replies

thenewaveragebear1983 · 10/03/2020 17:03

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:
BSD and Fast800 support thread #17
http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/fasting_diet/3787860-bsd-and-fast800-support-thread-17

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:
Thread gallery
31
NathanNathan · 30/04/2020 11:15

Welcome @potterbell!

agteacht · 30/04/2020 15:01

@NathanNathan really don't stress just yet. As others have said 11lb in 3 weeks is amazing but now that I am through weeks 3&4 I do believe there is a slowing then.

I lost 6.4lb w1, 3.4lb w2 and then only 0.4lb w3.
Week 4 was a bit of an improvement at 1.6lb but last week, W5, I lost my 2.8lb and this morning in day 1 of week 6 the scales showed another pound lost. So just push through to week 5 and keep to what you're doing for now.

NathanNathan · 30/04/2020 16:54

Thanks @agteacht that's actually really helpful to see how it went for you!

Whattheladybirdsaidnext · 30/04/2020 18:45

Finishing on 839cal and 24g carbs

thenewaveragebear1983 · 30/04/2020 20:06

Not a perfect day by any means for me but considerably better than recent days. Around 1100 cals and 60g carbs although I did have vegan sausages which is what bumped the carbs up.

OP posts:
whensmynexthol1day · 30/04/2020 20:42

Finished up at 802 kcal and 20g of carbs which is probably my best day ever. I needed it though as not lost any weight since Saturday! Lost 7.5kg so far over 7 weeks ithough which feels ok.

Tried my first lo dough pizza tonight which was nice! Think I read somewhere to fry it before to get a crispy base which I totally forgot! But still nice albeit a bit soggy.

Has any one used a lo dough pizza base as a wrap? Thought I might try it With some egg mayo as I'm craving some.

waterproofed · 30/04/2020 21:18

@Kimlek, please don't get disheartened. Since my weight loss plateaued as well towards week two I googled like mad to see what was going on and it turns out it is really common to go through this even on very calorie restrictive diets.

This was a surprise to me because I was used to seeing the scales go down every single day for the first couple of weeks, but other people's experience tells us this is super common and will pass. Thanks @agteacht and @CiorstanMI. I decided to give my scales a rest for a week and see if there is any movement in 7 days' time.

While having a rummage online, I found this website where you can calculate your macros and then depending on what you choose it also gives you a predicted weight loss over time on a graph: keto-calculator.ankerl.com

Despite the lack of weight loss, I am in such a good place on this WOE. I really enjoy the freedom from cravings and the fact that my hunger seems to have stabilised.

@thenewaveragebear1983 Just sent DH out for the missing ingredients for your red slaw. Cannot wait to try it. Glad to know you had a better day today - I really admire your perseverance and this magic ability to shake off bad days because they don't define you.

Day 13
724kcal 30g carbs
4.7K run

thenewaveragebear1983 · 30/04/2020 21:23

@whensmynexthol1day I actually used mine as a wrap today and it was nice. You can also make a 'wrap' like an omelette, very thin, mixed with something like ground flaxseeds to give it a bit of bite. Fry it like a very thin pancake and leave to cool then you can use it like a tortilla

OP posts:
whensmynexthol1day · 30/04/2020 21:28

Ooh good to know - thanks! Will try that.

Kimlek · 30/04/2020 21:32

@waterproofed I think you meant someone else as I’m not disheartened... into my 5th month and happy to plateau. That‘s my aim at the mo as needing choc & wine. Grin You’re right though it’s very common indeed and we’ve just got to ride it out.

waterproofed · 30/04/2020 21:38

Ah, @Kimlek, I'm so sorry, I did mean @NathanNathan Blush. Thank you for your great advice and sorry again Flowers

CiorstanMI · 30/04/2020 22:07

Day 53 and was closing kitchen at 844 calories and 48g carbs.

Whattheladybirdsaidnext · 01/05/2020 08:36

Official weigh in for week 2- I lost 3 kg.
That is a total of 8.6kg in 2 weeks, which I am over the moon about.

agteacht · 01/05/2020 09:29

Amazing @Whattheladybirdsaidnext ! That's fantastic

NathanNathan · 01/05/2020 09:42

Is that a stone? Amazing ladybird.

I had a terrible day yesterday, binge ate two dry wraps and 4 crackers in the evening, I was just so hungry. It makes no sense as I haven't been hungry for weeks, and now it's constant.

The combination of that and no weight loss in week 3 has me wondering if I should continue. The main reason for this is that I'm just feeling like crap! Constantly tired, achy, exercise is a real struggle, getting up is a real struggle.

I could put up with that when I was losing steadily, but being 6 stone overweight and eating so little and not seeing any progress while feeling so bad just isn't working for me.

I'm definitely the anomaly, some amazing progress on this thread! Smile

thenewaveragebear1983 · 01/05/2020 09:59

@NathanNathan I don't think you're an anomaly at all, I think it's quite common. There's so many processes you go through losing weight and when you lose fat very fast it does have an impact on your hormones. Things like leptin/ ghrelin kick up and can do crazy things to your appetite, as well as our old friend insulin. They all balance and compete with each other. It will settle down; the key is to keep up with the low carb as best as possible or you'll need to do the detox bit again which is no fun.

I've just written out my food for the weekend, I suppose it's damage limitation of sorts because I'm going to do a full 5 days fast800 next week. I really need to kick start myself. Still no AF either but weirdly don't feel hormonal today (did sleep terribly though and feel very bloated). I think a few very strict day are in order to start me off and I am dangerously close to a weight I Don't want to be at again so that is motivating me.

Doing some batch cooking today to see me through the weekend and then Will be ready to relaunch on Monday (always Monday....Grin)

OP posts:
agteacht · 01/05/2020 10:51

@NathanNathan I really really think you can do this and see more results very soon. You've already for the hard part - the first couple of weeks. If you can persevere for a week or so I would get money you will see a whoosh.

Also you could consider upping cals but keeping carbs low. Have extra cheese and eggs for example. I've averaged 1075 cals a day over 5 weeks and 44g carbs.

I'm not saying I'm doing it perfectly by the way! But the higher cals has still got me a good weight loss. If you can eat more low carb stuff and it keeps you on the plan until you see the scales move it would be worth a try.

agteacht · 01/05/2020 10:52

Sorry typed that too fast - I would bet money!

waterproofed · 01/05/2020 11:29

@Whattheladybirdsaidnext that's a brilliant loss!

@NathanNathan, I felt horrific in my second week and had very similar symptoms to yours. What you have described sounds very much like the dreaded carb flu or keto flu, where your body readjusts to the massive change in your diet. I went from consuming over half my calories in carbs to limiting them to around a fifth of my calorific intake. Of course my body did not know if it was coming or going.

I did think that unless I started to feel better soon I would have to stop the diet. However, I thought I'd give it a few days. Amazingly, I felt fine after less than a week and now feel great and it is only day 13 for me (I did lose some weight prior to starting fasting doing 3:4 for a week).

More about keto flu here: www.healthline.com/nutrition/keto-flu-symptoms#symptoms The article says that 'these symptoms are commonly reported by those who have just begun the ketogenic diet and can be distressing', but also gives you ways to cope.

I really hope you can persevere!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 01/05/2020 12:10

Just made this, it's delicious. Admittedly mine doesn't look exactly like the picture but it tastes really good and very 'bready'

Blood sugar diet and fast800 support thread #18
Blood sugar diet and fast800 support thread #18
OP posts:
LarryUnderwood · 01/05/2020 12:17

@Whattheladybirdsaidnext well done, that's fantastic!

Yesterday was a disaster, food wise was fine until my work leaving drinks. It turned into a massive virtual drinking session and I have no idea how much gin I had, but it was a lot. And i ate part of a lindt bunny and leftover chilli. So I reckon I finished the day at about 1700 cals/70g carbs. It was good fun though.
Back on track today

Whattheladybirdsaidnext · 01/05/2020 12:36

I’ve been hungry for the past few days too. I think it must be an adjustment thing. Week 3 is an arse anyway and I’m dreading it. I’m tired and find it so so hard to get out of bed and so I’m worried I will cave and binge on chocolate half way through the week.
What are you hoping to get to? Is there some item of clothing you want to get back into for example? I want to be able to wear shorts again this summer, and loose the chub rub so I can wear dresses without hurting myself. I have a mental picture of that in my head, and that’s sometimes all that carries me till bedtime. That and apple tea. Also, think of small targets and give yourself a reward when you get there. I get a treat when I hit 95kg... in 0.4kg time.

Whattheladybirdsaidnext · 01/05/2020 13:24

And eat sat at a table with no distractions (as in, not in front of the TV or reading or looking at a phone. I have to eat with my kids and they are massive distractions and you probably do too!) that way, concentrating on your food, your brain will find it easier to accept when you are full. Eating in front of the TV often means you want to eat far more than you need, and it makes it much to easy to graze. I’m really trying to use this time to kick the grazing in front of the TV habit and get my portion sizes reasonable because that’s how I got this big in the first place.

Whattheladybirdsaidnext · 01/05/2020 13:25

And while I’m posting.... I just had an egg mushroom and cheese omelette. I added Worcestershire sauce (which somehow contains carbs in it, but only 1g for 1tsp) and it was amazing!! New favourite meal!

waterproofed · 01/05/2020 17:31

@Whattheladybirdsaidnext cheese and mushroom omelette sounds lush! On my list of things to try. I will be adding more egg whites as I need to up my proteins.

I had a tiny lunch under 200kcal (some cod and tomatoes) so felt quite hungry just before dinner - saved by a babybell again! Forever grateful for this tip, @CiorstanMI!