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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

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Thread gallery
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thenewaveragebear1983 · 29/03/2020 19:30

Errrrm I didn't calorie count it! But it's basically smoked basa, cod and jumbo prawn tails (they are a bit like crab sticks, they aren't prawns) with cheese grated over. The mash is made of about half a cauliflower and about 150g broad beans, cooked together and mashed/blitzed with the hand blender with butter and salt and pepper. I put the mash over the cheesey fish and then grated Sind more cheese over the top. I suppose it's more like a gratin than a traditional fish pie because it has no sauce, but i used to make it a lot and it's quite tasty.

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agteacht · 29/03/2020 20:01

That looks so yum @thenewaveragebear1983 !

Well I'm finishing up today at 970 cals but 51g carbs which I'm pleased with.

I got some babybels thanks so much for that tip! And had one to stave off the afternoon hunger and it worked brilliantly!!

Did my daily 45 min spin session and managed to get 11k steps in by taking the baby for a walk to try to get her to nap so all in all a good day.

Skipping breakfast from tomorrow as per one of your tips, I think that will work well in making my lunch a bit more substantial. Should be okay to go as far as midday depending on how many times I'm up in the night!

Hope everyone's had a lovely weekend despite the lockdown

thenewaveragebear1983 · 29/03/2020 20:10

Reflecting on the past week, I'm not going to beat myself or dwell on the bad bits. I do however, fully intend, to have a cracking week this week ahead. I know if I continue to eat this way I will feel shitty.

What's a good week on plan? It's not just 800 calories in...it's all these for me too:
Drinking water regularly during the day
Taking my vitamins/supplements;
Exercising: running, yoga, hiit in various combos throughout the week;
Weighing and tracking all my food, every time I eat. No guessing. No retrospective tracking. Weigh it, check it, write it, eat it. ;
It's time restricted eating, and no evening grazing;
It's no snacks (even 'on plan') , and no sugar. (I know that sounds hard but it's actually easier to go cold turkey I find)
It's not allowing myself to sabotage by ignoring all the above!
It's planning my meals in advance and then actually sticking to it.
And for me as well it's no dairy (it doesn't react well with me, I get terrible cravings and terrible skin)

I'm writing all this down to be accountable, to myself. It is a crazy time right now but shoving crap food in my mouth is not going to change that, and actually eating rubbish is making me feel rubbish too. I slept terribly last night because I drank too much gin and then since my last post I've just been the human dustbin all afternoon.

So! Tomorrow. Joe wicks hiit with the kids, probably a short run, day at home with the children (obvs). I'm going to fast til dinner time (intended to today but it didn't happen). I have soup on the go for emergencies. Dinner will be my fish gratin and salad. I could easily do a good fast800 day tomorrow with my head in the right place.

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CiorstanMI · 29/03/2020 20:44

Closing the kitchen on day 21 at 783 calories and 41g carbs.

Lndnmummy · 29/03/2020 23:54

@thenewaveragebear1983 when I was doing really well last year your post is exactly what I did. I might highjack - it does help with accountability I find. I have developed a bad cough this afternoon. I’m terrified as my husband and both boys are asthmatic.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 30/03/2020 08:37

@CiorstanMI well done 👍 another good day for you!

@Lndnmummy I hope you are ok. It's worrying if you have a symptom and we're all hyper vigilant aren't we right now. Thanks

Weighed in today, gained a few pounds after my weekend of crazy food! Actually, it was only a few hours of crazy food! I hope it's mostly water retention.

Have a good week everyone!

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bluepixie · 30/03/2020 09:34

@thenewaveragebear1983 me too. I didn’t stick to it yest and was a human dustbin. But I’ve written myself an email to read everyone I want sugar telling me not too!!!!
I’ve also put on a few pounds after this week of terrible eating and it’s got me in a bad mood but focussed me
I don’t need any days off as no social plans I’ll feel like I’m missing out no
So this is it now..till I get there!

We can do it!!!

Lndnmummy · 30/03/2020 12:41

Good morning everyone, how do you deal with emotional eating during these challenging times? I find that I eat for all sorts of reasons that are not hunger. Anxiety, boredom, restlessness, irritation, all sorts. Does anyone have any good tips on dealing with it?
Sending big hugs to everyone.
I have filled a huge water jug, put my supplements out in the kitchen and planned my meals for the day so feeling on top of it today. I will check in later with a calorie confirmation (it helps me with my accountability.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 30/03/2020 13:04

@Lndnmummy I agree.

I often say I eat 'mindlessly' but when I actually interrogate that thought, I realise that actually it isn't wholly mindless. I know when I'm self sabotaging and I choose to do it. So I can choose not to do it as well? However, behaviour change takes practice so I reckon I need to actually practice choosing not to sabotage myself. Hypnotherapists would say to literally visualise yourself saying No! and putting the food away. So...oooh biscuits?! NO! then imagine how strong and in control you will feel. Really indulge in that feeling. How great it feels to be slim and healthy and in control.

I know it sounds daft but these techniques can really work, and because it's all in your head no one else can see or hear you. I did have some hypno a while ago and it really did help me. It didn't cure my emotional eating by any means but what it did do was give me those few seconds thinking time that turned emotional mindless eating into emotional mindful eating and that certainly made it easier to break the habit. I think if we say it's mindless we are saying we have no control but by taking back the ownership of it we get stronger.

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bluepixie · 30/03/2020 13:55

I am the same. I can easily go into stress eating hence last week was a disaster. I don’t know how to overcome it as I clearly haven’t!!!!

For me weighing myself daily helps as seeing gain makes me stop. Loss keeps me going.
I’m gonna try @thenewaveragebear1983 methods next time I decide to sabotage.

I do full accept its my own fault though and external circumstances are not an excuse.

Also not keeping crap in house helps. Atm we have sooo much in coz of the situation but I’m just going to try stay strong!

FluffyEarMuffs · 30/03/2020 14:00

Hello everyone 👋🏻

I am afraid I have not been doing very well over the last two weeks. I have eaten and drunk a lot and for various reasons, leaving the house to exercise has not been an option. My job has been all consuming and I am incredibly worried about everything while working very long hours.

I cannot - and it's probably not a good idea for my stress levels - to be too strict at the moment regarding diet. But what I can do if slowly tip the scale back the other way by limiting carbs and doing some time restricted eating, so that is what I am doing from today.

I don't know how effective this will be, but it's a way of gaining some control back again which is something at least.

I can't catch up on two week's worth of messages and keep track but I hope everyone else is doing okay.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 30/03/2020 14:18

@FluffyEarMuffs I totally get that. Times are really tough for a lot of people right now, and it feels odd somehow to be focussing on the scales. This was discussed in that brilliant podcast that (I think) @Kimlek recommended, the secret world of slimming clubs? However, for me I know I feel better when I eat well so that's my focus. On plan when I can is about the best we can do.
Thanksfor everyone having a tough time right now

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Lndnmummy · 30/03/2020 15:44

Once again I’m overcome by how wise you all are. I’m certain that had I not dropped off the thread last year I would have been sticking to new habits and maintained my weight.
@thenewaveragebear1983 that’s great advice I’ll keep that in mind. I also find that reading about other people’s journeys is motivating.
Something else that might help others as it did give me abit of a motivational push. I have started to spend a few minutes more each day caring about myself and my appearance. So using my Philips Lumea, cleansing and using skin care properly. Using a foot cream and dry brushing. Using hand cream and cuticle oil. These small acts of self care and self love has motivated me to eat better too. I have packed a small basket by my home work station and every now and again I use some of it. Ie cuticle oil, then write some emails, then pat on eye cream, take a conference cal then foot cream. Etc.
It’s like this tiny small steps of self care has increased my ability to treat myself with love and affection. I’m therefor not feeling that I’m depriving myself of wine/sugar/carbs I’m actually increasing my self care (and love) by filling my body with things that heal it. Like water, supplements and veg.
Perhaps those little things can help someone else too?
I’m going to listen to the podcast further up the list too. Thank you for recommending.
Dreadful weather in London today so no 10.000 steps for me today.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 30/03/2020 15:55

@Lndnmummy I sorted out all my toiletries drawers yesterday and found so many products I'd forgotten about so I have been doing what you did; sorted out a moisturiser, a foot lotion, a serum and have put them in a prominent place so I use them every day.

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Kimlek · 30/03/2020 17:04

I am sooo impressed with you all!! Ooh your fish pie does look yummy bear also like the idea of sorting out toiletries!! I’m desperate to get at our filing and sort out all our paperwork but DH is constantly on video calls.
I’m a pound up, which is amazing given the amount of booze I’ve been chugging. Plus a fair few bad foods! I’m just not in the right head space and feel quite apathetic about it. I’m meal planning as I always have and seriously need to with 5 of us in the house and not much food around.
I did say that my aim would be to stay around the 11stone mark for the time being and any loss would be a bonus. So I’m at least achieving to stay under the 11 (just!)

CiorstanMI · 30/03/2020 17:40

I agree with what everyone is saying here. These are very strange times and, for various reasons, tougher for some than for others. I feel that doing what we can manage and doesn't put us under too much stress is exactly the right thing to do just now. Sending you all good wishes to stay safe and well.

bluepixie · 30/03/2020 17:54

Closing kitchen at 875 and 35g carbs

Hi kimlek I think that’s very sensible. It’s a difficult time right now we just should stay healthy and do wot we need to get through it.

I’m feeling much happier today as not disappointed in myself! I am self isolating as ds has a cough but he’s totally fine but means no walk...

thenewaveragebear1983 · 30/03/2020 18:48

I'm finishing on 856 cals, 39g carbs. I did a 5km run and joe wicks this morning. It's been a good day on plan, and I've had quite a quiet day here as well totalling only 9.2k steps including my run.

Tomorrow: more of the same. Lots of water, run maybe, food will be my soup for lunch and then dinner will be a chicken supreme that I made yesterday with veg.

That fish pie was deeeeee-Licious! I love smoked fish and the mash on top was very 'potatoey' so all in all, nice tasty comfort food.

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bluepixie · 30/03/2020 19:06

I just did a joe wicks workout! And I hate excercise. It was fine and short! Gonna try do that daily plus it means I get 30 mins to myself without ds going

Mummmuuyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!! :) I love him to bits but 2 weeks indoors with a 2.5 year old god help us! Plus our nursery is now shut which is stressful as we both keyworkers for nhs!

CiorstanMI · 30/03/2020 19:50

Weighed myself this morning and it looks like my weight loss has started moving again. I lost 1.1kg in week 3, which makes a total of 5.5kg since I started (12lb in old money).

Closing the kitchen on day 22 at 863 cals and 48 carbs.

bluepixie · 30/03/2020 20:29

Whoopy well done ciorstan!!!! That’s amazing!
That’s all I want to loose (well 14 pounds) if I could just focus like u!!!! Right ur my inspiration keep posting!!!!
Well done for sticking at it consistently that’s my problem xxxx

CiorstanMI · 30/03/2020 22:03

I'm absolutely sure you can do it @Cream123. But I also know you work in the NHS so please don't push yourself too hard right now. I reckon diets are much easier when life is going fairly smoothly because they do take energy and I know I'm having a much easier time than most people at the moment. Weirdly for me the lockdown has made my life, in some ways, much simpler and quieter, which I think is why I'm managing to focus on my diet right now.

agteacht · 30/03/2020 22:32

Well done @CiorstanMI so glad the scales moved!

Sounds like everyone's pragmatic approach is very sensible at this time.

Well today was day 6 for me so nearly time for week 1 results...
970 cals again but am slowly getting to grips with removing carbs as managed 38g today which was my lowest yet. Will give it another good push tomorrow and hope the scales are kind on Wednesday.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 31/03/2020 08:12

Well done @CiorstanMI , nice the scales are moving again!

I'm 2lbs down today which is my weekend's water retention! 10.6. Just contemplating my day ahead....

Have a good one everyone

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bluepixie · 31/03/2020 09:31

Well done @agteacht ur scales will move and motivate you for sure! I found about a week in I managed 850 cals it’s quite hard to suddenly go down to it!
As I’m in my 2 weeks self isolation I’m using it to be good @CiorstanMI as I’m removed from work stress for now
@thenewaveragebear1983 your been doing this for so long! amazing your mainting using it eventually I hope to do same

Eggs and smoked salmon
Cheese and walnut salad
Prawn stir fry with low carb noodles
Will be 859 and 38 carbs by end of day